Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Theodore ``Ted'' Reklinski, upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 30 years of dedicated service with the Social Security Administration, where he worked diligently on behalf of the citizens of our community.

Mr. Reklinski began working as a Claims Representative for the SSA in 1973. He quickly ascended through the ranks, and by 1980, he was promoted to the position of Operations Supervisor at the Painseville office. In 1987, he returned to the Cleveland office as Operations Supervisor, and moved to the west side office in 1994. Mr. Reklinski's expertise, diligence and keen understanding of the complexities of our Social Security system, enabled him to provide solutions for countless individuals, children and families in critical need of assistance.

Beyond his outstanding service to his constituents, Mr. Reklinski forged solid bonds with community leaders and agencies. He served as an invaluable contact for my Congressional Staff, and his work reflected diligence and heart, enabling my Congressional Staff to assist our constituents and their families when needed.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, gratitude and recognition of Mr. Ted Reklinski, for his exceptional work and advocacy on behalf of the citizens of our Cleveland community. His integrity and expertise, and more importantly, his sincere concern for others has uplifted the lives of countless citizens throughout our District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Sister Mary Helen Jaczkowski, upon the joyous occasion of her 50th Jubilee Year. As she has for half a century, Sister Mary Helen continues to serve in dedicated and holy ministry, a ministry of faith that focuses on the children, seniors and families of our community. She teaches by example, and her words and deeds, reflecting kindness, compassion and love, radiate strength and hope within the hearts of many, including my own.

Inspired by a true calling of spiritual and humanitarian duty, Sister Mary Helen began her ministry with a strong foundation in education. She started her life-long career in education by teaching third, fourth and fifth grade students at St. John Cantius School. Sister Mary Helen taught at various parochial schools throughout Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio, and also held leadership roles as assistant principal and principal. To fortify her knowledge and educational expertise, Sister Mary Helen earned a Master's degree in Education along the way. Today, she continues her educational ministry and leadership as assistant principal at Immaculate Conception School in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood.

As a long-time social activist, Sister Mary Helens' unwavering dedication, focused on improving the lives of those around her, is clearly reflected throughout our Cleveland neighborhoods, from Tremont to Slavic Village and beyond. In Slavic Village, Sister Mary Helen led the restoration effort to transform the long-since abandoned Harvard School into an affordable, warm and secure place to call home for senior citizens, now known as the Harvard Village Senior Apartments.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Sister Mary Helen Jaczkowski. Her commitment, kindness and caring for the people of our community, from our children to our elderly, has served to lift the spirits of countless individuals, and continues to radiate faith, hope and light throughout our entire community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Detective Maurice Hamilton, Badge # 758, in celebration of his recent retirement from the Cleveland Police Department, after twenty-five years of dedicated and honorable service to the force and to the citizens of Cleveland.

Prior to joining the Cleveland Police Department in 1980, Detective Hamilton worked for the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department. He began basic patrol in Cleveland's Sixth District on May 29, 1980. In 1986, Detective Hamilton was needed on basic patrol in the First District. By 1989, he was promoted to Detective, working within the First District Strike Force, then the First District Detective Bureau in 1992.

Throughout his committed public service as protector and guardian of the residents of our community, Detective Hamilton maintained the highest level of integrity, grace and skill. He developed strong and trusted bonds with colleagues, neighborhood leaders, members of Cleveland's court system and members of the FBI. His expertise, unwavering focus, and compassion for others reflected in his outstanding work in solving cases and helping individuals and families who needed assistance. Over the years, Detective Hamilton has been duly recognized with numerous awards and commendations for his exceptional police work, yet these honors held little personal significance to him. His family, friends, fellow officers and the people of our community have always been, and continue to be, his motivating force. A true believer in giving back to the community, Detective Hamilton continues to volunteer his time as a member of the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association and as an elder with his church, Grace Lutheran in Lakewood, where he is actively involved in community children's programs.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of Cleveland Police Detective Maurice Hamilton, as we reflect upon twenty-five years of his significant service to the citizens of Cleveland. Detective Hamilton's compassion for others, integrity, expertise, and focus on protecting his constituents in Cleveland have all served to elevate the lives of countless families and individuals within our community. We wish Detective Hamilton, his wife, Joyce Hamilton, and their entire family many blessings of peace, health and happiness as they journey from this day onward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Yolanda Craciun, loving mother, grandmother, community activist, and dear friend and mentor to many. Her passing marks a great loss for her family and friends, and also for the people of Cleveland's west side neighborhood, whom she supported, promoted and faithfully served.

Mrs. Craciun's family, including her late husband, John Craciun, were central to her life. The great care and love that she showered on them extended throughout Cleveland's west side neighborhood, where Mrs. Craciun led many efforts to uplift her neighborhood. The well-being of her community, anchored by her parish, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, was her lifelong focus. Her advice and support was continually sought by neighbors and neighborhood leaders. Greatly loved, respected and admired by all, Mrs. Craciun was godmother to twenty-eight children.

Equipped with a compassionate heart, sharp mind and even sharper focus on the neighborhood she loved, Mrs. Craciun's efforts fostered hope and possibility throughout the Dentroit-Shoreway neighborhood, where she lived her whole life. She was a founding member and trustee of the Detroit-Shoreway Community Development Coalition, leading the charge to restore the neighborhood with housing, economic and social initiatives. Her efforts to help others spanned every barrier, and touched the lives of countless people and family. Mrs. Craciun raised over $100,000 for the Snowflake Program, used to decorate the neighborhood during holidays. She volunteered her time as a literacy tutor, was president of the PTA at St. Edward's High School, and served on many boards, including St. Augustine Manor and the Westside Substance Abuse Task Force Project.

Her humble nature precluded her from reveling in awards and accolades. However, her outstanding service was recognized by others. She was the recipient of many awards that highlighted her humanitarian efforts, including the 2004 Father Marino Frascati Neighborhood Champion Award, and the Giuseppe T. Fiocca Award, presented to her in 1998.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Yolanda Craciun. She lived her life with joy, energy and in unwavering service to others. I extend my deepest condolences to her many friends and family members, especially her children: Jean, Mary, John, Joseph and James; and her grandchildren and sister. Her eternal faith in humanity and in the notion that together, we can make a positive difference, will continue to serve as an unending force of light, hope and possibility, throughout the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cuyahoga County Engineer Robert Klaiber, as he is recognized by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party for his service to our community.

In 1999, Mr. Klaiber was appointed to the office of County Engineer. In 2000, he was elected to the office. Mr. Klaiber began his career in engineering as a land surveyor and engineer consultant. Prior to his acceptance of the office of County Engineer, he worked as the City Engineer for the City of Strongsville. Mr. Klaiber's work, focused on improving our community's roadways and bridges, has served to enhance all aspects of our county's system of transportation.

Mr. Klaiber has been instrumental in assisting my office with infrastructure improvements, especially with the railway merger, a project that affected the entire southwest region of the 10th Congressional District. He has consistently demonstrated a high level of energy, focus and willingness to assist us in improving transportation safety and access for all residents within our community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of Mr. Robert Klaiber, Cuyahoga County Engineer. His dedicated service and expertise, focused on the well-being of the residents of Cuyahoga County, has served to uplift our entire community.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President of the United States, in a speech at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, said with respect to Social Security, ``There is no trust fund, just IOUs.'' On February 16, 2005, at a meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the President again made the claim that there is not a Social Security trust.

Now, Mr. Speaker, the people of this country have a right to know that the money that is put into that Social Security trust fund is safe; and the President, with his remarks, has put that in question and in doubt.

Two weeks ago, the Social Security Administration issued a report saying that all of the money there is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Do we no longer have faith in our country's financial obligations?

This is the time for Congress to step forward and back H. Resolution 170 that demands the President transmit information to the House backing up his claim that there is no trust fund.

Mr. Speaker, Rome 1993. I knew the City. Except for the machine-gun carrying Carbineri at Rome's Fumicino Airport, and the cars whizzing by me on the autostrada at 150 kilometers per mile, Rome seem strangely familiar. Perhaps it was the ten years studying Latin, following the exploits of Caesar, Veni, Vedi, Vici, except Caesar never had to drive his chariots in rush hour. Nor did anyone dare crowd his style along the Appian Way. Everywhere I looked cars were bumper on bumper, I did a sidewalk survey and noticed that about seven of ten cars parked along any given street had body damage. Rome was very personal like that. My friend Judy and I had come to visit the Eternal City to study the cradle of our faith. As we toured, it became clear that just as Washington is a monument to Presidents, Rome is a celebration of the Papacy.

Prior to leaving for Rome I had lunch with an old friend, Dr. Robert White, the famed neurosurgeon and physician to the Pope. I told him I was soon going to be visiting Rome. He made a call to his friend at the Jesuit's headquarters in Rome and was able to arrange for a special visit to the Vatican, including attendance at a general Papal audience, Judy and I, and about five thousand other persons.

Minutes before we left the hotel for our Vatican tour, I received a call that there had been a change of plans. Judy and I were to come immediately to a certain entrance off St. Peter's Square. Just in case I was going to meet someone I always wanted to meet, I brought with me a ceremonial presentation of a Key of the City of Cleveland, although they changed the locks when I left the Mayor's office. When we arrived, we were greeted by Swiss guards. Then we were ushered into the large hall where the general audience was held. It had the air of carnival, colorful, noisy, boisterous. Slowly we were escorted past one jammed pew after another to the front pew, et introibo ad altare Dei . . .

A priest in a simple black cassock, a former resident of Milwaukee, who followed American politics, approached smilingly, ``Mayor Kucinich?'' I accepted the honorific though it had been thirteen years since I left Cleveland City Hall, concluding my own personal experience with Manichean struggles with the forces of power and light. The years after City Hall were, well, different. Except for brief service in City Council, filling an unexpired term, I could not win an election to save (or lose) my soul.

``Yes. We're very excited to be here,'' I said. The priest, now a personal assistant to the Pope responded: ``We're really glad you could make it.'' Wait a minute. I waited my whole life just to get into close proximity to the Pope and one of his assistants is telling me he's glad? ``The Holy Father will be here shortly. There will be a general audience. Afterwards, people will file out and then he will come over to talk with you.''

That is the moment I knew I was about to meet Pope John Paul II. I was lost in thought. Judy feigned panic ``Omigosh,'' she kept saying over and over.

The General Audience is something like Cleveland's West Side Market on a Saturday, except many a pilgrims dancing, playing music, and singing, while wearing the colorful costumes of their native lands.

The Pope enters to wild applause. He sits on a simple throne and after about an hour and a half his right hand is supporting his head. I thought how physically demanding it was for him.

The General Audience ended. The Pope had brief discussions with a group of clergy. He then walked in our direction. He stopped and spoke to two other couples. Then he approached.

He looked at Judy, and greeted her first. He then turned to me. ``Is this your wife?'' he asked, in English. She wasn't. Neither of us were married. I wasn't going to lie to the Pope. Talk about setting yourself up to go to Hell . . .

``A friend, Holy Father.''

He nodded.

``Holy Father, I come from Cleveland. . . .''

``Yes, we were talking about you earlier, about your public service,'' he said.

``I remember Cleveland.''

Indeed the Pope had visited Cleveland, as Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, at St. Stanislaus Church in the Slavic Village Neighborhood. One of his closest friends was John Cardinal Krol, whose family came from St. Stanislaus Parish. There was a great joy in Cleveland when he was chosen Pope. The Polish community brought together 10,000 people in Public Hall to celebrate in prayer and song. We spoke for a few minutes about how the same Polish community was instrumental in my election as Mayor in 1977.

``Holy Father, I have a special gift I would like to give you, a Key to the City of Cleveland. It was one of the last Keys from my Administration. I supposed he received a thousand like it, but he accepted it and an accompanying certificate graciously as several cameras flashed around us. He turned to Judy and he thanked her for coming.

Then my life changed. John Paul II put his hand on my head. He looked into my eyes and said in a Polish-accented English I have come to know so well in my own neighborhood: ``My son, I give you my special blessing.'' I felt something at that moment. Whether it was a connection with his charisma or grace, I felt something, a different energy field, a buzz, my imagination? A sense of peace? I felt something. Later I would mark that bright encounter as one when conditions began to change for the better in my own life.

I thanked him in Polish. He smiled.

He invited us to visit again. Ever the altar boy, as he was about to leave, I offered to him a prayer in Latin: ``Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam.'' Send forth your light and your truth. It was said as an affirmation of his spiritual leadership, his own quest to bring peace to the world.

He said goodbye. Judy and I were suddenly alone in the pew. The Audience had ended.

There are millions of people the world over who felt a personal connection to John Paul II. Yet his passing may become significant not for that aspect of him which died in us, but for something within each of us that was reborn through his life.

It was the only time I would ever meet him. I have often thought back to that moment when he offered me his blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and celebration of David Pierce, Managing Director of the Ulster Bank of Ireland and the President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, as we welcome him to Cleveland, Ohio, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005.

For the past twenty-six years, Tim Collins and Thomas Scanlon have organized the St. Patrick's Day Party and Parade, a joyous event that brings people together in the heart of Cleveland. Every year, Euclid Avenue springs to life as a sea of green and the spirited sound of drums and bagpipes are swept along our city streets. This enchanted day promises old friendships renewed, the discovery of new ones, and serves as a living bridge that extends across the blue Atlantic--from the north coast of Cleveland to the shores of the Emerald Isle.

Mr. Pierce is a leader in securing, protecting and enhancing the economic foundation of Ireland, and has established significant ties with leaders in America and around the world. In 2004, he was honored with the Leinster Society Chartered Certified Accountant of the Year Award for the Republic of Ireland. His wife, Jackie, and daughters, Rachel and Elaine are central to his life. Additionally, Mr. Pierce volunteers his time to the people and causes of Ireland. Similarly, Mr. Collins and Mr. Scanlon, distinguished attorneys, continue to preserve and promote the history and culture of their beloved Irish homeland.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the Honorable David Pierce of Delgany, County Wicklow, the Republic of Ireland, for joining us in Cleveland as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Please also join me in recognition of Tim Collins and Thomas Scanlon for organizing this wondrous St. Patrick's Day Party this year, as they have for the past twenty-six years. ``Ni dheanfaidh smaoineamh an treabhadh duit--You'll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind''--Old Irish Proverb.

Mr. Speaker, today the House is going to be asked to approve a supplemental appropriation of $82 billion, most of which will go to continue the war in Iraq.

We now know more than 2 years later that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction which was the immediate occasion of America's intervention. We know that Iraq had neither the intention nor the capability of attacking the United States. Yet this country has spent over $200 billion and today is determined to spend another $82 billion in furtherance of a war we did not have to fight at great cost of human life, the lives of our troops and the lives of innocent Iraqi civilians.

Yet while we are contemplating going ahead and spending $82 billion, we should be thinking about the fact that on January 30 the Special Inspector General for the Iraq reconstruction issued a report that the administration's Coalition Provisional Authority mismanaged $9 billion in a development fund for Iraq funds. Not a single penny of the $9 billion could be accounted for by the Inspector General.

The development fund for Iraq consisted of Iraqi oil revenues intended for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts in the war-torn country, but they cannot account for a single penny of it. Now this government is asking for $82 billion, most of it for Iraq. They could not account for a single penny of the money that the Coalition Provisional Authority, their authority, was responsible for. How can we give them another dime when they cannot account for $9 billion?

We have people who do not have decent education in this country, decent housing, our highways are falling apart except for our transportation bill. We need to focus on why they do not and have not produced a single shred of evidence of what happened to that $9 billion. The American people have a right to know.

Mr. Speaker, another $82 billion for Iraq? Some will say this is to support the troops. If the administration cared about our troops, our troops would not have been begging for body armor and armor-plated vehicles.

Some will say we must rebuild Iraq. Yet $9 billion in funds that would have helped rebuild Iraq are missing, unaccounted for. Some will say we must not cut and run, but they have no exit strategy and permanent bases are being built in Iraq.

Some will say our cause is right, holy, and we are bringing peace and freedom to Iraq. I say the war was wrong, unholy, and the administration has brought death, destruction, chaos, and disruption to Iraq.

The Bible says ``that which is crooked cannot be made straight.'' This war is crooked. It cannot be made straight.

Not another dime for this war and for all those who have profited from it. Not another dime. Vote no on the supplemental appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the 200th Anniversary of the Cleveland Post Office, which embraces the legacy of Northeast Ohio's mail carriers. For two centuries, these fearless messengers have braved everything from freezing January snow to the blazing heat of July, to snarling dogs, in order to deliver the mail throughout our Greater Cleveland community and across our nation.

Joseph Briggs, a Cleveland postal employee, revolutionized the postal system when he convinced postal officials to adopt a policy of free home delivery. On July 1, 1863, as our nation was divided by the Civil War, 450 mail carriers began Free City Service Delivery in Cleveland, Ohio. Encouraged by the positive response, officials expanded this service to other areas.

As our nation's frontier rolled westward, so did the United States Postal Service. The Service grew alongside every new and growing city and town, delivering mail from faraway places to our mailboxes. They journeyed down dusty trails, winding rivers, city streets and country roads--wherever cities came to life, so did a new post office.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of every past and present employee of the Cleveland Post Office and their outstanding legacy.

The mail carriers hold in their hands the important information we need--from lifechanging announcements to everyday correspondence. This centuries-old exchange of news, emotion and ideas, sealed in a Postal Service letter, not only communicated the events of our nation's history, but still serves to facilitate change and shape the direction of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the certification of International

Military Education and Training (IMET) for Indonesia by Secretary Rice. Since 2004, Foreign Operations Appropriations legislation has indicated that the Secretary of State must determine if Indonesia is eligible to receive IMET funds. According to the law, what determines eligibility is the cooperation of the Indonesian government and armed forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the August 31, 2002 murders of two American citizens and one Indonesian citizen in Timika, Indonesia. Last year, then-Deputy Secretary of State Armitage defined ``cooperation'' in the Freeport killings as seeing the case through to ``its exhaustion.''

Yet the present Secretary of State has indicated that she has certified IMET for Indonesia, despite the fact that the Indonesian authorities have not ``cooperated'' by any definition of the term. In July 2004, when U.S. investigators notified Indonesian police that they were willing to return to Indonesia to assist in apprehending the only person thus far indicted by a U.S. grand jury, Anthonius Wamang, it took the Indonesian police well over 6 months to respond. Furthermore, Indonesian authorities have not indicted or apprehended Wamang or anyone else. For the first 6 months after the indictment was unsealed in June 2004, Indonesian police did not inform U.S. investigators as to what they were doing in the investigation.

The cooperation--or lack thereof--of the Indonesian government and armed forces with the FBI investigation is further complicated by the initial Indonesian police report, as well as NGO and media investigations, which pointed to Indonesian military involvement in the attack. Wamang also admitted ties to the notorious Special Forces Kopassus in a video interview broadcast in Australia.

Providing IMET now will remove the key U.S. leverage to assure justice is done in the Timika case, on the eve of the return of the FBI team to Indonesia.

Congress prohibited full IMET for Indonesia for years because of its extremely poor human rights record. Indonesia has yet to fulfill these previous conditions on IMET, and human rights violations, especially in Aceh and West Papua, continue.

Furthermore, there has been no justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in 1999 in East Timor. The few Indonesian trials were a whitewash; not one Indonesian officer has been held accountable. Indonesia refuses to extradite anyone, including senior military officers, indicted in a separate and credible UN-East Timor justice process. On top of that, there are increasing reports of militia infiltration into East Timor from Indonesia.

The Indonesian armed forces--TNI--are massively corrupt and have direct ties to terrorist groups. The TNI engages in drug running, illegal logging, extortion of U.S. and other domestic and foreign firms, and human trafficking, among others. A number of Islamic jihadist militia that have terrorized and killed thousands within Indonesia collaborate with and are even empowered by the TNI. The TNI operates a shadow government extending from the central government down to the village level. It continues to resist subordination to civilian authority and is a threat to democracy in Indonesia.

While the amount of money for IMET may be small, it has tremendous symbolic value. The Indonesian military will view any restoration of IMET as an endorsement of business as usual, not as a reward for extremely limited reforms.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of James J. Flannery, devoted family man, community leader, public servant, and friend and mentor to many.

As a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1967 through 1972, Mr. Flannery served his constituents of Cleveland's Near West Side with commitment, integrity and energy. As a certified public accountant, he was instrumental in garnering statewide approval for the graduated income tax, implemented in 1971.

Mr. Flannery's life-long commitment of service to others, and dedication to the Democratic Party was handed down to him from his parents and grandparents. His father served on the Council for the City of Cleveland. For many years, Mr. Flannery's grandfather served as a Precinct Committeeman. And in 1947, Mr. Flannery's grandmother was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. They also instilled within him an unwavering work ethic. He was raised in Cleveland, graduated from St. Ed's, then enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated in 1960. He volunteered his time and efforts on behalf of numerous causes and organizations, including St. Ed's High School and the Notre Dame Club of Cleveland, where he served as past president and trustee. In 1991, the Club honored him as their Man of the Year.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of James J. Flannery, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. I offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Flannery's wife of 45 years, Judith; his children, Jim, Dan, Kelly, Mary Lou, Michele, Bryan, Judi Lynn and Eric; his sons and daughters in law, Maureen, Caroline, Rolly, Attila, Brian, Renee, Dan and Lori; his granddaughters and grandsons, and his extended family and many friends. Mr. Flannery will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him well, yet his legacy of concern for others, generous spirit, and kind heart uplifted the lives of countless individuals and families, including my own--and his life and his legacy, framed by love of family and community, will be remembered always.

Mr. Speaker, Canada has officially opted out of the laughably named National Missile Defense System. We should take a lesson from our neighbors. They knew the NMD has a terrible record; 10 highly artificial and carefully scripted flight intercept tests, only five resulting in hits. One hit occurred when the equivalent of an electronic ``hit me'' sign was put on a supposed attack missile.

The new booster rocket for the kill vehicle has a one-in-three success rate. That is a one-in-three chance of even getting off the ground. The Pentagon canceled nine of the original 20 tests to focus on building the system instead of testing it.

Today, the NMD benefits no one except a few contractors and their patrons. Meanwhile, the Canadians chose not to buy a lemon. Here we plant a lemon grove and then franchise lemonade stands.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of my dear friend, Robert C. ``Buddy'' Benson, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, civic activist, community leader, humanitarian, United States Veteran, and dear friend and mentor to many. His passing marks a great loss for his family and friends, and also marks a great loss for everyone whose life was touched by his own.

Grounded and humble, Mr. Benson was the quintessential ``everyman,'' yet his seemingly ordinary life belied his extraordinary heart and generous spirit. He would stop whatever he was doing to offer a helping hand. On countless occasions, regardless of the weather, he would stop his car to help stranded motorists. Mr. Benson was a hero to the downtrodden, and consistently reached out to offer assistance to those who struggled in life, leaving a life-long legacy of endless acts of kindness offered to friends and strangers alike.

Dolores Benson, Mr. Benson's beloved wife of 58 years, their seven children, eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were central to his life. The united focus on family and service to others, shared by Mr. and Mrs. Benson, continues to illuminate the hope and promise of a better day for every citizen of this working-class community, from Seven Hills to Parma.

Mr. Benson retired from LTV Steel following 40 years of diligent and honorable work as a millwright. His friendly nature, quick wit and caring heart drew others to him, and he made friends easily. Concerned with the welfare of fellow workers and their families, Mr. Benson became actively involved in the steelworkers union. He held the position of treasurer with the United Steelworkers Local 2265 for 7 years, and served as their Chairman of the Compensation Committee for 35 years.

His life-long interest in politics and strong faith in the notion that ``together, we can make a difference,'' served to enrich our community's Democratic Party. Mr. Benson served as the president of the Seven Hills Democratic Club from 1983 to 1999, and led the effort in organizing several political campaigns. His humble nature precluded him from reveling in awards and accolades. However, his compassionate service to others was often recognized. In 1994, the Seven Hills Democratic Club named him ``Democrat of the Year.'' He was the recipient of citations from the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate Committee, which highlighted his humanitarian efforts.

Mr. Benson's faith was anchored by his church, St. Anthony of Padua, where he was also a founding member. He volunteered on many community boards, including Pius X Council, VFW Post 1973, CAMEO, Southwest COPE, (AFL-CIO), and the Finance Committee of St. Anthony's.

Mr. Benson's greatest legacy is reflected in the lives of his family and friends; within the peaceful calm of St. Anthony's Church; within the energy of the Seven Hills Democratic Party, along the halls of Parma City Hall, and within the hearts of everyone whose life was touched by his.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Robert C. ``Buddy'' Benson. The infinite measure of his heart, his courage, vision and integrity, defined his life and served to lift the lives of countless individuals and families throughout our west side suburbs. Mr. Benson's kindness, energy and compassion will be greatly missed within the hearts of his many friends, including my own. I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Dolores; His children, Robert, Jacqueline, Patrick, Mary, Elizabeth, Denis and Christine; His grandchildren, Gina, Kimberly, Bryan, Colleen, Robert, Michael, Christopher, Lauren, Christopher, Stephanie and Nicholas; His great-grand daughters, Callie and Allison.

Robert C. ``Buddy'' Benson lived his life with joy, energy and in unwavering service to others. His eternal faith in humanity and his consistent willingness to give of himself, while asking for nothing in return, will continue to serve as a powerful legacy of hope and possibility throughout our entire community, and his kindness and service will forever live within the hearts of all who knew and loved him well.