{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-presents-family-of-wwii-veteran-simon-zulia-with", "Congressman Higgins Presents Family of WWII Veteran Simon Zulia with Bronze Star", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Brian Higgins", "H001038", "higgins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brian Higgins presented the family of United States Army veteran Simon Zulia with a Bronze Star and additional military recognitions for his exemplary service in two of World War II\u2019s most prominent campaigns. \u00a0Also, in a surprise to the family, Simon\u2019s son, Steve Zulia was presented with a medal he never received for sustaining life threatening injuries while on duty as a Niagara County Sheriff\u2019s Deputy. \u00a0\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\n\u201cSimon Zulia demonstrated great courage and commitment as a member of the United States Army and it is our honor to pay tribute and express gratitude for the contributions he made to this great nation,\u201d said Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security. \u00a0\u201cSimon\u2019s love for his country was matched only by his love for his family and the medals they are receiving today will stand as a lasting legacy of this patriarch\u2019s noble character.\u201d\n\u00a0\nCity of North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt added, \u201cIt is great to see Simon Zulia receive the recognition he deserves due to his service and sacrifice for our country. \u00a0It is never too late to say thank you to our veterans. \u00a0As a recipient of the Bronze Star, I know what it takes to earn this medal and am proud that our government has finally recognized Simon for his service to our nation. \u00a0We should all be proud of North Tonawanda veterans and Americans such as Simon.\u201d \u00a0\n\u00a0\nSenator George Maziarz said, \u201cEarning the Bronze Star is no easy feat, and today\u2019s presentation shows that Simon played a notable role in helping to win the Second World War. \u00a0This is the season of giving, and Simon Zulia gave so much to our country and our community that he deserves to be recognized and honored.\u201d\n\u00a0\nBorn December 4, 1925 in Lockport, NY, Simon Zulia, \u201cSlim\u201d to those who knew him best, attended Lockport High School before entering into the United States Military service on July 28, 1944 amidst the nation\u2019s involvement in World War II. \u00a0Simon completed basic training at Ft. McClellan in Alabama and then went to Ft. Meade in Maryland before being sent overseas. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nAssigned to an Infantry Unit, Zulia participated in both the Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns, the latter of which became notable as the site of two major battles that helped to define the outcome of the war \u2013 the Battle of France and the Battle of the Bulge. \u00a0Due to its concealed, hilly terrain, Allied generals felt the Ardennes region could not be navigated by armored vehicles and therefore did not need to be heavily fortified. However, Nazi Germany tested the maneuverability of the region, twice using it as an invasion route into Northern France and Southern Belgium. \u00a0Zulia once recalled a time he was in a bunker in Germany with other soldiers that were wounded and close to death. \u00a0German soldiers saw them and Simon pretended he was dead just to stay alive.\n\u00a0\nZulia served in a combat infantry unit as a rifleman until he was wounded in action but that did not stop his commitment to his country. He then became a truck driver and drove all types of vehicles that carried troops and supplies over various terrains. Zulia was honorably discharged on April 24th, 1946 from Fort Dix, New Jersey.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSimon\u2019s two brothers, John and Sam, also served in World War II. \u00a0John served in the Air Corps and was stationed in the South Pacific. \u00a0Sam, Simon\u2019s twin, proudly served in the Navy and served four tours overseas. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nSimon Zulia was married to his wife, Evelyn, for 44 years before he passed away in 1995. \u00a0In the early years of their marriage he ran the Lake Breeze Inn in Olcott and Slim\u2019s Dinette in Lockport before working at Harrison Radiator for over 20 years. \u00a0The couple had four children, Marina Zulia Fery of Brockport, NY; Regina Zulia Sullivan of Lockport, NY; Steve Zulia of North Tonawanda, NY; and Peter Zulia from Cincinnati, Ohio. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFor his commendable conduct and courage throughout his military service, Congressman Brian Higgins presented Simon Zulia\u2019s widow and all four children with: the Bronze Star, European-African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe Bronze Star is awarded to members of the military distinguishing themselves by heroic service while engaged in an action against an armed enemy. \u00a0It is one of the highest awards presented to the military for acts of merit.\n\u00a0\nSimon\u2019s son Steve, a former Niagara County Sheriff Deputy, was ambushed and shot in the face and upper body while answering a domestic call in Middleport on Saturday, November 7, 1987. \u00a0After many months of surgeries and rehabilitation, Steve went on to complete\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMaster\u2019s Degree from Buffalo State College and continued his doctoral work at Albany State. He currently works as a professor at Niagara University, teaching Criminal Justice.\n\u00a0\nNiagara County Sheriff James Voutour presented Steve Zulia with the Police Combat Cross medal, which is given to public safety officers who have successfully and intelligently performed an act of extraordinary heroism, while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life.\n\u00a0\nNiagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour said, \u201cOn December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge was launched with deadly ferocity. \u00a0 The largest and bloodiest battle fought by the United States in World War II, it was to become Simon Zulia\u2019s crucible. \u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201c15,666 days later and 3,793 miles west of his father\u2019s bitter Belgian battlefield, Steven Zulia was drawn into his own combat zone. \u00a0But time and distance did not write different scripts for them. \u00a0They were both wounded. \u00a0They both moved on to prominence in new roles. \u00a0Both have made a difference in other people\u2019s lives.\n\u00a0\n\u201cSimon Zulia returned home to Niagara County determined to give his family the opportunity to live the American Dream, a dream he willingly risked his life for. \u00a0He became a respected owner of businesses and a loyal and valuable worker in his community. \u00a0Jarred by the sudden end to his career in law enforcement, Steven Zulia persevered, studied and ascended to acclaimed status of college professor at Niagara University, also in Niagara County.\n\u00a0\n\u201cYears and miles cannot keep Simon and Steven Zulia apart. \u00a0Simon\u2019s gifts of love of family, courage, integrity and sense of service course through Steven even to this day. \u00a0Father and son, one and the same, united forever.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-presents-family-of-wwii-veteran-simon-zulia-with"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9892249256372452, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}