Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Ohio Chapter.

CAIR is a nationwide, nonprofit organization whose mission is to ``enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.'' For the past ten years, CAIR Ohio has played an instrumental role in helping to bridge the divides between Greater Cleveland's diverse communities.

CAIR Ohio's Tenth Annual Banquet will provide a platform for vibrant discourse led by this year's distinguished speakers: Mr. Faisal Kutty, of Valparaiso University School of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School of York University and KSM Law and Imam Abu Farah of the American Muslim Youth Leadership Council and CAIR-Tampa. I commend these speakers for their efforts to promote civil liberties and social justice.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the Council on American-Islamic Relations Ohio Chapter for their tenth years of outstanding achievement. May their efforts to promote dialogue and create a more inclusive world continue to endure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of the Honorable Lillian W. Burke, the first African American female judge in the State of Ohio.

Judge Burke was born in 1917 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1946, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in education and subsequently began working as a teacher in Cleveland Public Schools. While teaching, Judge Burke also attended Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She graduated with her law degree and passed the Ohio Bar in 1951.

Soon thereafter, Judge Burke served as the assistant attorney general for three years before being appointed to the Ohio Industrial Commission. Judge Burke was appointed to the Cleveland Municipal Court in 1969. She served on the bench until her retirement in 1987.

In addition to her trailblazing career as a judge, Judge Burke was deeply involved in the Greater Cleveland community. She worked with the Cleveland Restoration Society, City Planning Commission, Cleveland Foundation African-American Outreach Advisory Committee, National Council of Negro Women, City Club and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Judge Burke also set up the Lillian Walker Burke Scholarship for students of John Marshall College of Law.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of the Honorable Lillian W. Burke. Her career will continue to serve as an inspiration for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Tyrone ``Hawk'' Hawkins, who worked for over two decades at the Parmadale Institute, a facility that provides a modern, safe, and secure residential and behavioral health treatment environment for adolescents.

Mr. Hawkins was born on April 21, 1952 as the fourth child to Thomas and Ethel Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1971. In 1976, he earned a degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University.

Mr. Hawkins had a passion for working with children, which led him to begin a career at Hillcrest School in Cincinnati. In 1990, Mr. Hawkins began working at the Parmadale Institute, helping thousands of children with their behavioral health needs. Mr. Hawkins' compassion and understanding were a constant at Parmadale, where he often stayed long past closing time talking to the children and staff.

I offer my most sincere condolences to his wife, Jacqueline; daughter, Tanisha; and his grandchildren. Mr. Hawkins will be dearly missed by his family and friends, especially the staff and children of Parmadale.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Tyrone Hawkins, who served the children of his community with love and devotion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who was a religious and spiritual leader.

His Holiness was born Nazeer Gayed on August 3, 1923, in Egypt. Actively involved in the Church throughout his entire life, Pope Shenouda III joined the Coptic Orthodox Seminary after graduation from Cairo University.

On July 18, 1954, His Holiness became a monk, and later a monk priest, and was known as Fr. Antonious El-Syriani. He then became a hermit and lived in a cave for a period of six years. On September 30, 1962, he was consecrated Bishop of Christian Education and President of the Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary.

On November 14, 1971, His Holiness was consecrated as the 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark. During his tenure as Pope, His Holiness worked tirelessly on behalf of the youth of the Church. He also published 101 books throughout his life spreading the message of the Coptic Church worldwide.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the tireless work and life of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, and his dedication to the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Mr. Speaker, on tax day, remember the ramifications of waging wars abroad. In 2011, thirty-nine percent of our income tax dollars went to the Pentagon and war; only 9% for trade, commerce, education and employment programs.

The Center for Arms Control-Proliferation estimates that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost the average family of four almost $13,000. National unemployment rates continue to be between 9 and 10%, while our families struggle to pay their mortgages, send their kids to school and feed their families.

Compared to the approximately $159 billion budgeted in Fiscal Year 2011 for wars, the $6 billion Congress budgeted for the Workforce Investment Act--primary federal program supporting workforce development--is paltry.

We have nearly 23 million Americans either unemployed or underemployed, and about 5.5 million who are who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more. Wake up America, wars are ruining our economy.

On tax day, remember our government has a responsibility to use our money wisely, not to waste hard-earned tax dollars on unnecessary wars.

The answer to war and economic decline is peace and prosperity.

On tax day, remember the ramifications of waging wars abroad.

In 2011, 39 percent of our income tax dollars went to the Pentagon and war, only 9 percent for trade, commerce, education, and employment programs. The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation estimates the war in Iraq and Afghanistan cost the average American family of four almost $13,000 in 2011 alone.

National unemployment rates continue to be between 9 and 10 percent, while our families struggle to pay their mortgages, send their kids to school, and feed their families. Compared to the approximately $159 billion budgeted in fiscal year 2011 for wars, the $6 billion Congress budgeted for the Workforce Investment Act, primary Federal programs supporting workforce development, is paltry.

We have nearly 23 million Americans either unemployed or underemployed and about 5.5 million who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more. Wake up, America. Wars are ruining our economy. On tax day, remember our government has a responsibility to use our money wisely, not to waste hard-earned tax dollars on unnecessary wars.

The answer to war and economic decline is peace and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference Report to H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The bill extends unemployment for those currently out of work through 2013. It continues the payroll tax break for the middle class through 2013. It prevents the scheduled cuts in Medicare reimbursement to doctors. It extends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It protects current federal public servants by protecting their pensions and by dropping language that would have perpetuated an unjust and unnecessary payroll freeze. As a Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I offered an amendment in Committee last week to protect the pensions of future federal public servants as well.

However, while providing needed relief, this bill is very flawed. It reduces benefits for new federal public servants, cuts assistance to hospitals and cuts long term unemployment benefits. It is wrong to limit any crucial safety net.

Still, extending the payroll tax means that middle class families in Ohio will have about $1000 more in their pockets at a time when speculation has pushed gas and basic food prices up. The needs of my district are urgent and immediate. This legislation will deliver relief. I stand with the workers and those trying to find work and I pledge to continue to fight for the middle class. When Congress returns we must ensure that our communities are protected and that hospitals and workers are taken care of. I will work with my colleagues to remedy the shortcomings of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mrs. Mary Zunt, an iconic figure to the City of Cleveland.

Mary was born on August 16, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio, where she attended Holy Name High School. Following a brief stint in New York City, Mary returned to Cleveland, where she was instrumental in establishing WVIZ TV in 1965. She was also behind the station's fund- raising auctions. In 1973, Mary was elected to Cleveland's City Council to represent the residents of the West Park neighborhood. She fought for consumer protections, gun safety and commercial development during her two terms on the council.

Following her career in public service, Mary went on to work in the construction industry. She oversaw projects such as renovations of the Gateway and Society Center, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the Glass Bowl Stadium and construction of the scoreboard at Jacobs Field.

In 1994, Mary left Cleveland and moved to Nice, France to study wine for two years. She

later moved to St. Helena, California where she worked at the St. Helena Catholic Church, caring for migrant workers. She also began to focus more on her writing and was taught creative writing at Napa Valley College. Mary was a feature writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and contributor to Cleveland Magazine, the Napa Valley Register and the St. Helena Star and Appellation Magazine. Mary also wrote a novel, ``The Politics of Annie Quinn,'' chronicling her experience on Cleveland's City Council.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mrs. Mary Zunt. Her contributions to the City of Cleveland will be remembered for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania's independence, and the re- establishment of their independence as it is commemorated by the Cleveland Chapter of the Lithuanian American Community.

On February 16, 1918, the people of Lithuania declared their independence to the world as a distinct country with its own culture and traditions. The state was founded on democratic principles and declared its independence in a peaceful manner. However, Lithuania's freedom was short-lived, as the country and its people were subjected to foreign occupation and conquest by the Nazi Germany regime and the U.S.S.R. during World War II. In 1940, the Soviet Union took control of Lithuania without the people's consent. This unjust control of a free people lasted for 50 years. On March 11, 1990, upon the fall of the Soviet Union, the people of Lithuania re-established their independence, and once again, became a sovereign, free state.

The Lithuanian-American Community's Cleveland Chapter has worked to connect the people of Cleveland of Lithuanian descent and to share their rich and vibrant culture with the community. I offer my best wishes for the upcoming celebration of their heritage and their independence.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in commemorating the independence of Lithuania and, in wishing the country and its people continued freedom and success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Cleveland's Boxing Champion, Johnny Kilbane, on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of his attainment of the title of World Featherweight Championship.

Johnny Kilbane was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 9th, 1889. He began his ascent into the boxing world at age eighteen with his first fight in the featherweight division. Throughout his career, Johnny fought in over 140 fights--resulting in 46 victories, 79 no decisions and only four losses. On February 22, 1912, in a 20 rounder in Vernon, California, Johnny Kilbane won his first world title in a fight against Abe Attell. The fight was for the World Featherweight Championship, a title he would hold from 1912 to 1923. Kilbane is believed to have held that title for the longest uninterrupted reign in boxing history.

A Cleveland local, Kilbane held a number of positions after he retired from the boxing world. During World War II, he worked as a boxing instructor at Camp Gordon in Georgia, Camp Sherman in Ohio, and Camp Custer in Michigan. He was also a boxing referee and instructor at local high schools. He operated a training club in Vermillion.

Johnny transitioned into politics as well, and was elected to the Ohio State Senate in 1941. He also held office as a State Representative, and was elected to the Municipal Court Clerk's Office in 1951, a role which he served until his death in 1957.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the life of Johnny Kilbane and the 100th anniversary of his achievement of the title of World Featherweight Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Edward Crawford to acknowledge his receipt of the Walks of Life Award from the Irish American Archive Society.

Mr. Crawford was raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He has since become a leader in Cleveland's business sector. Edward began his career as a salesman for Island Steel while enrolled in night school at John Carroll University. In 1962, he founded the Cleveland Steel Container, a company that produced paint cans. Just two years later, in 1964, Crawford established his own investing company, the Crawford Group. In 1992, he became the chairman and chief executive officer for Park-Ohio Industries. Mr. Crawford was named the Ohio Small Businessman of the Year by the Small Business Association in 1969.

Mr. Crawford has also served on the boards of numerous companies throughout his career including Arden Industrial Products, Continental Conveyor & Equipment Company, Continental Crushing & Conveying, Inc., Resilience Capital Partners LLC and Beech Technology Systems, Inc.

In addition to his career, Mr. Crawford has continuously served the Cleveland community. Just several years ago, he led a four year, $400,000 renovation of the Irish Cultural Garden.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Edward Crawford as he is honored by the Irish American Archive Society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sister Kathleen Kilbane and to

acknowledge her receipt of the Walks of Life Award from the Irish American Archive Society. Sister Kathleen has dedicated her life to the homeless and to students of the Greater Cleveland area.

Sister Kathleen attended high school in Cleveland's West Park neighborhood at St. Joseph Academy. She later earned a bachelor's degree in education from St. John College and a master's degree from Cleveland State University.

In 1952, Sister Kathleen entered the nunnery at St. Clement in Lakewood. Early on, she devoted most of her time as a grade school teacher at Annunciation, St. Angela Merici, St. Aloysius, St. Mary and St. Colman schools. In 1977, the West Side Catholic Center was established to assist the elderly and homeless; Sister Kathleen was named the director. Twenty years later, in 1997, Sister Kathleen established Seeds of Literacy, an organization dedicated to helping high school drop-outs earn their diplomas.

Because of her relentless work to support those in need, in 2000, the West Side Catholic Center honored Sister Kathleen with the Dorothy Day Humanitarian Award.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Sister Kathleen Kilbane as she is honored by the Irish American Archive Society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Janice G. Murphy and to acknowledge her receipt of the Walks of Life Award from the Irish American Archive Society. A Cleveland native, Mrs. Murphy has dedicated her life to improving the health of others.

Mrs. Murphy began her career in the health care industry while serving as a nun with the Sisters of Notre Dame. She left the convent upon discovery of her true calling in life and began classes at Fairview Hospital's School of Nursing. She later earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree from the University of Akron.

Mrs. Murphy worked as a nurse at Fairview Hospital in oncology and later coronary care. She was named chief nursing officer and in 2007, became the hospital's chief operating officer. While leading Fairview Hospital, Mrs. Murphy was also the president of Lakewood Hospital, a role in which she served for nearly three years. Today she remains the president of Fairview Hospital.

In addition to running two of Cleveland's premier hospitals, Mrs. Murphy serves on the boards of the Ursuline Community Advisory Board, North Coast Health Ministry, St. Joseph Academy and Hospice of Western Reserve. She has also been awarded the Cleveland Clinic Western Region Leadership Award and Baldwin Wallace Healthcare Award.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Janice G. Murphy as she is honored by the Irish American Archive Society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Mike Cleary and to acknowledge his receipt of the Walks of Life Award from the Irish American Archive Society.

Mr. Cleary was raised in East Cleveland by his parents, both of whom were immigrants from Ireland. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School before attending John Carroll University. Mike also served for the U.S. Navy for two years aboard the USS Lake Champlain, an aircraft carrier.

Prior to his retirement in 2011, Mr. Cleary worked in the collegiate and professional sports arena for 46 years. Early on in his career, he worked as a general manager for the Cleveland Pipers and Kansas City Steers. He later entered intercollegiate athletics and worked as the director of championship events for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In 1965, he was hired as the executive director for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Mr. Cleary was also the fund administrator for the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation and served on the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and U.S. Olympic Committee. He is highly regarded in the athletic world and has been recognized by the National Football Federation, College Hall of Fame, and in 2009, he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Mike Cleary as he is honored by the Irish American Archive Society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. Stephen O'Connor Diemert, Jr.

Born in 1932, Stephen was destined to serve his country and the Greater Cleveland community. He served as a private in the United States Army from July 1953 through March of 1955. After returning home, Mr. Diemert began his career as a firefighter in January of 1961. He served as a fireman for 24 years until January of 1985. Mr. Diemert was also a long-time member of the American Legion Firefighter Post 339 and served as the Director of Fire Affairs for Silver and Gold, a fraternal organization dedicated to ``supporting the Safety Forces of Northeast Ohio.''

I offer my condolences to his wife, Carol; children, Stephen (deceased) and Cindy, Robert, Laura and Tony, Mary Lou and Mike and Matthew and Vicki; grandchildren, A.J., Sara, Stephanie, Hanna, Katie and Gary; great-grandchildren, Karen, Fallon and Brucey (deceased) and eight siblings.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Stephen O'Connor Diemert, Jr.