Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Eliza Bryant Village, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing quality services, outreach programs and a dignified, compassionate and secure environment for seniors. On Saturday, November 6, 2011 the Eliza Bryant Auxiliary II will host its 43rd Annual Luncheon, Fashion Show and Mart ``Celebrating a Community of Generosity.''

In 1858, Eliza Bryant came to Cleveland, Ohio with her mother and brother and they became known for providing African Americans with food, shelter, clothing and guidance. Several decades later, Eliza, concerned by the fact that African Americans were not permitted in nursing homes, began working in the community on behalf of the elderly. Inspired by her dedication, John D. Rockefeller made a financial donation that led to The Cleveland Home of Aged Colored People (The Home).

Since 1896, The Home has gone through several changes. In 1914 a new, 19 bed facility was purchased on Cedar Avenue. In 1960, The Cleveland Home of Aged Colored People officially changed its name to the Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged. After generous donations by the Dorcas Society and the A.M. McGregor Home, the Eliza Bryant Home moved to a new location on Addison Road and was able to care for 47 people. Just several years later the aged building became inadequate and, in 1985, the Eliza Bryant Home opened in Cleveland's inner city. In 1999, the organization expanded further with the opening of the Inez Myers Senior Outreach Center and Eliza Bryant Manor, a senior housing complex consisting of 60 units. After the opening of these two facilities, the organization was renamed to Eliza Bryant Village (EBV). More recently, EBV acquired the former Madonna Hall Nursing Home, opened the Eliza Bryant Garden Estates and continues to expand its services.

Approximately 100 women are members of EBV's three Auxiliaries, which work to fundraise and support the residents of Eliza Bryant Village. The goal of the 43rd Annual Mart is to obtain funding to enhance EBV's programming, improve transportation and special medical equipment for its residents and provide adult daycare for the elderly in the community.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of Eliza Bryant Village as it continues its work as being a premier provider of healthcare, programs and services to the Greater Cleveland community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 75th anniversary of Zumberak Lodge, of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America.

The Croatian Fraternal Union of America (CFU) is the largest and oldest Croatian organization in North America. There are more than 200 lodges throughout the United States and Canada and 18 in the State of Ohio. The CFU was founded on September 2, 1894 as the Croatian Union of the United States, and in 1895 was renamed the National Croatian Society. The National Croatian Society merged with several other Croatian organizations and became the Croatian Fraternal Union of America in 1925. Originally, CFU was created as a society of mutual aid for Croatians in the event of sickness and death. It has also been publishing its own newspaper, The Zajednicar, since 1904. Today, in addition to providing insurance, the CFU is dedicated to preserving Croatian culture in North America, and provides numerous fraternal and cultural programs for its members.

In addition to celebrating the 75th anniversary of Zumberak Lodge, members who have been with the Croatian Fraternal Union for 50 years will also be honored at the celebration. The 50 year members include: Gerald Babbits, Dwayne Hunn, Robert Knezevic, Ann Lang, Mary Ann Mave, Linda Mayo, William Rubick and Barbara Zander. The celebration will begin with a service at St. Nicholas Croatian Byzantine Catholic Church and be followed by a memorial service for deceased members, a blessing for the 50 year members and conclude with a champagne brunch at Manor Party Center in Euclid, Ohio.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 75th anniversary of Zumberak Lodge and those who are celebrating 50 years of membership with the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, Zumberak Lodge #859.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 30th anniversary of Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio, a non-profit organization that is committed to developing/facilitating options in housing for persons with physical disabilities.

Maximum Independent Living (MIL) was created in 1981 by Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry and Services to address the needs of people with physical disabilities for accessible and affordable housing. During the organization's first seventeen years it focused on its Vistas Apartment Communities in Cleveland, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Avon Lake, Parma and Sheffield Township. Each of the communities is fully accessible and houses more than 150 residents.

After establishing their five living communities, MIL turned its attention to advocacy and education on accessible housing. In 1998, it launched the Accessible Housing Research Center initiative, which provides information and referrals on accessibility and housing, provides educational programs, and advocates with government and community groups to increase accessibility in housing. MIL also played a key role in creating housingcleveland.org, a searchable online database for affordable housing.

Maximum Independent Living changed its name to Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio (MAHO) in 2007 to draw attention to its work on accessibility and housing. More recently, after securing federal funding, MAHO set its plan of building a new Vistas Apartment Community in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood in motion. The new Circle Vistas will replace the current Vista community on Euclid Avenue.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio as they celebrate 30 years of dedicated service to the Cleveland area's disabled community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Cleveland's International Exposition Center (I-X Center). The I-X Center hosts 1.5 million visitors annually at various consumer shows and community events.

Cleveland's I-X Center is one of the largest trade show and exhibition centers in the country. With more than 1.4 million square feet of exhibition space, the I-X Center hosts some of the country's largest consumer shows. Some of the most popular events include the Greater Cleveland Auto Show, Fabulous Food Show, International Beer Fest, Great Big Home & Garden Expo, Piston Power Show, Indoor Amusement Park and Trick or Treat Street.

The Greater Cleveland Auto Show is the fifth largest auto show in the country. This fall, the I-X Center will host the second annual Piston Power Show which showcases piston powered cars, aircraft, motorcycles, trucks and trailers. The Fabulous Food Show has become one of the leading food shows in the country and features a number of Food Network chefs including Bobby Flay, Alton Brown and Cleveland's Michael Symon. Another show quickly gaining popularity is the International Beer Fest, which, according to the I-X Center, was the largest showing and competition of world beers in the Midwest. The I-X Center's own Indoor Amusement Park has been running for 22 consecutive years and features the world's largest indoor Ferris Wheel.

Since the I-X Center's first show in 1985, the International Capital Goods Trade Fair, they have been reinvesting in the facility to accommodate future shows and guests. The I-X Center has already invested more than $75 million into the venue over the past 25 years and plans to invest another $25 million in the coming years to upgrade visitor amenities, traffic and parking in hopes of doubling their annual attendance.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Cleveland's International Exposition Center (I-X Center).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor Mr. Gerald F. Broski who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 2, 2011.

Gerald earned his Bachelor of Science degree from John Carroll University in 1964 and his Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University's Marshall School of Law in 1968. Following his education, Gerald practiced law for thirty-nine years. He owned and operated a real estate management firm for twenty years. Gerald has been married to Donna, for 45 years. Together they have two sons, Scott and Todd.

In addition to his career, Gerald has been an active member of the Greater Cleveland community for decades. He is a member of Marymount Hospital's Civic Advisor Board, the Harbor Estates Homeowners Association, Ohio Bar Association, Cleveland Bar Association, Now- Easter Boat Club, Brecksville Historical Association and the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. Gerald has served as the president of several organizations including Polish American Inc., Cleveland Society of Poles and Polonia Foundation of Ohio and as the executive trustee of Shoes and Clothes for Kids. For 23 years, Gerald has also been a member, and is currently the vice president of, the Brecksville City Council.

Due to his long career and dedication to his community, Gerald has been honored and recognized several times. He received a U.S. Army Commendation Medal in 1970 and was named Volunteer of the Year by Shoes and Clothes for Kids in 2003.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Gerald F. Broski and congratulating him as he is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Mark Relovsky who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 2, 2011.

Mr. Relovsky was born on August 31, 1954 and was raised in the St. Hyacinth Parish in Cleveland's North Broadway neighborhood. His family moved to Brooklyn Heights as Mr. Relovsky started at Cuyahoga Heights High School. Upon graduating, he began studying at Case Western Reserve University where he earned a degree in accounting. He would later attend Baldwin Wallace College and obtain a Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1984.

While Mr. Relovsky was earning his education, he was working as the administrator of the LTV Steel-USWA Pension Plan at Republic Steel/LTV Steel. Mark also worked as a 401(k) plan consultant with CBIZ, a pension project manager with the Center for Health Affairs and a product file analyst for Applied Industrial Technologies.

In addition to his long career, Mr. Relovsky has been an active member of Cleveland's Polish community. He has served as a member of the Booster and Sports Committee of the Union of Poles in America and at one time served as their director. He has also served as the commissioner of the Union of Poles Division of the Polish National Alliance. Additionally, Mr. Relovsky has been active in the Cleveland Society of Poles, the Polish American Congress, Ohio Division, the Union of Poles Credit Union and the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Mark Relovsky and congratulating him as he is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Joseph Fornal who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 2, 2011.

Born in 1955, Joseph was raised in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from John Carroll University in 1977. In the midst of his career, Joseph returned to school and earned a Master's in Business Administration from Kent State University.

Joseph began working at the accounting firm Cohen & Company after graduating from John Carroll and eventually was made partner-in-charge of the Accounting & Auditing Department. He also served as the firm's Technical Director. He left the firm and became the vice president and Chief Financial Officer for Jack Matia Chevrolet and Honda in 2000. Several years later, in 2006, Joseph began working as the treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Ganley Auto Group.

In addition to his career, Joseph is an active and dedicated member of the Cleveland community. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities, Cleveland Society of Poles, Polonia Foundation of Ohio and is currently the president of the Polish American Cultural Center in Honor of Pope John Paul II. Joseph is also an active member of St. John Cantius parish and Marymount community.

Due to his long career and dedication to his community, Charles has been honored and recognized several times. He was honored with the Cleveland Society of Poles' Good Joe Award and the Outstanding Member in Industry Award from the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants in 2004. Joseph was also the recipient of the Billy Reynolds' Community Service Award in 2008.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Joseph Fornal and congratulating him as he is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor Mr. Charles J. Popa who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 2, 2011.

Charles was born on October 19, 1925 in Pulaski Township, Pennsylvania. He was taking classes in high school when Pearl Harbor was attacked and immediately left school to work as an auto mechanic. Charles enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and went on to serve in the Asiatic Pacific Theater; specifically in Luzon and Mindanao. Charles rose to the rank of sergeant before being discharged in 1945.

Upon returning to civilian life, Charles began working in the trucking industry and transported goods such as coal and steel throughout the Eastern United States. He retired in October 1982. After the War, Charles married Jane Stadnik on April 15, 1950. Together, they raised three children, Charles Jr., David and Susan.

In addition to his military service, career and family, Charles was an active member of his community for decades. Just two years after joining the Polish Legion of American Veterans in 1969, Charles became the post commander, a position he held for forty years. He is also a member of the Roman-American Volunteers, the Grand Knight of Pulaski and is a lifetime member of VFW Post 7538. Charles was honored in 1987 as the Polish Legion of American Veterans' veteran of the year. In 1998, he was recognized by the United Veterans Council.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues please join me in honoring Mr. Charles J. Popa and congratulating him as he is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the committee for holding this important hearing on the future of our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As one of the first Members of Congress to oppose the war in Iraq and as one who has forced debate on the war in Afghanistan a number of times in the House, I continue to be deeply concerned by the findings of the Commission on Wartime Contracting (CWC) in Iraq and Afghanistan. The latest and final report highlights continued privatization of inherently governmental functions, a significant lack of oversight of contingency contractors who in many cases, are providing vital support services for our personnel on the ground, and an estimated waste of up to $60 billion thus far. Many of us were on this committee last year when it released a report (``Warlord Inc.'') detailing the use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to pay off warlords in Afghanistan and essentially fuel the very insurgency we are trying to quell.

At a time when vital social services here at home are being cut in the name of fiscal responsibility, we would do well to take the recommendations and findings included in the final report of the CWC very seriously. It is clear from the Commission's reports that the U.S. Government has privatized the business of war to such a point where we are guaranteed to continue to see billions of dollars go unaccounted for and bad actors in Iraq and Afghanistan act with total impunity. And as the Commission points out, there will be another contingency operation.

The truth is that we cannot afford these wars. According to Congressional Research

Service, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost us over one trillion dollars. Estimates by Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Blimes put that number at closer to $5 trillion when you include the long-term costs associated with caring for returning veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Jacob Nash who is being awarded the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Freedom Award at the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats' Freedom Fund Reception on September 26, 2011.

The Cleveland Stonewall Democrats is one of more than ninety chapters of the National Stonewall Democrats throughout the country. They are a grassroots movement devoted to securing equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Mr. Nash earned a Masters in Psychology, specializing in diversity management, from Cleveland State University. For the past decade, he has worked as an independent trainer and consultant specialist in transgender and diversity issues. He has trained politicians, social workers and medical professionals on caring for and respecting transgender people. Mr. Nash is currently working for the Ohio Department of Children and Family Services and previously worked as the Executive Director for Transfamily of Cleveland.

Mr. Nash became an active activist in 2002, after fighting for and winning the right to marry Erin. Over the past several years, Mr. Nash has traveled across the Midwest speaking with legislators regarding civil rights legislation. He has worked closely with the cities of Cleveland and Akron as they developed their 2009 non-discrimination policies. Mr. Nash is also active with Equality Ohio, TransOhio, the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Jacob Nash on the occasion of being honored with the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats' Stephanie Tubbs Jones Freedom Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Timothy Downing who is being awarded the 2011 Cleveland Stonewall Democrats Leadership Award at the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats' Freedom Fund Reception on September 26, 2011.

The Cleveland Stonewall Democrats is one of more than ninety chapters of the National Stonewall Democrats throughout the country. They are a grassroots movement devoted to securing equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Mr. Downing graduated with his undergraduate degree from Allegheny College in 1985 and earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1988 from Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University. He began his career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the law firm of Rose, Schmidt, Hasley and Disalle. For the past 23 years Mr. Dowing has been co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Cleveland law firm Ulmer & Berne LLP, where he is also a partner. Mr. Downing is an active member of the American, Ohio State, and Cleveland Bar Associations' Labor & Employment Sections/Committees. He has also served as the chair of the Financial Committee for Ohio's Local Government Reform and Collaboration Commission for 18 months under former Governor Strickland. Mr. Downing has been recognized throughout his career; he was named a ``Super Lawyer'' by Cincinnati Law & Politics magazine and a ``Leading Lawyer'' by Inside Business magazine for the past 10 consecutive years.

In addition to his career, Mr. Downing is also an outspoken activist and advocate for the LGBT community. He founded Equality Ohio, an organization dedicated to ``an Ohio where everyone feels home; living in families and communities where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued; and where government protects all people and responds to their needs, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.'' Mr. Downing is currently the co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT civil rights and education organization.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Timothy Downing on the occasion of being honored with the 2011 Cleveland Stonewall Democrats Leadership Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sergeant Louis J. Machovec, an iconic police officer from the Cleveland Police Department (CPD), as he celebrates his 100th birthday on September 29, 2011.

Sgt. Machovec was born on September 29, 1911 in Cleveland's North Broadway neighborhood. He was one of three sons born to Jan and Anna Machovec, immigrants from Bohemia, Czechoslovakia. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes school and later graduated from Thomas Edison High School. After high school, during the Great Depression, Louis worked various jobs including working as groundskeeper at Lakeview Cemetery, in a railroad boiler factory and as a Cleveland taxi driver.

In 1937, Sgt. Machovec took the qualifying test to become a Cleveland police officer. After Eliot Ness became the city's Safety Director, the entire police force was given the exam again. Sgt. Machovec scored sixth out of more than 800 applicants and was asked to become a member of the first Cleveland Police Academy Class. After working on accident prevention for a short time, Sgt. Machovec was asked to join in the investigation of the Kingsbury Run murders; the Cleveland Torso Murderer was never caught.

He worked in various departments, ultimately joining the CPD's communications division. He worked as the voice of the Cleveland Police Department for many years, through the 1950 Thanksgiving snowstorm and the Hough Riots in the 1960s. Later, Sgt. Machovec ran the police internal telephone exchange and bank alarm departments until his retirement. He served with the Cleveland Police Department for 39 years.

Following his retirement, Sgt. Machovec moved to Solon, Ohio to be closer to his wife, Margaret, and their daughters, Mary Lou and Margaret. Today, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and still wears his grey CPD shirt.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in wishing Sgt. Louis Machovec a very happy 100th birthday and thanking him for his dedicated service with the Cleveland Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Barbara Daniel who is being inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association.

Barbara graduated from West Tech High School in 1962. At the age of 40, Barbara enrolled at Cleveland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1999. Several years later, she earned her Master's Degree in English. Barbara spent 25 years in the financial services industry supporting insurance agents and financial planners. In 2001, she established Insurance Resources, and worked as a financial consultant to insurance agencies. During her career in the financial sector, Barbara served as the President of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors. In 2004, Barbara changed careers and became the owner, publisher and editor of The Cleveland Women's Journal--East Edition. The mission of the magazine is ``to empower women through knowledge.''

In addition to her career, Barbara has been an active member of her community. She served as president of the Women's City Club from 2003 until 2006. Barbara is currently a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the League of Women Voters, Women in Networking, Working Women Connection, the YWCA, the American Advertising Federation, the American Marketing Association. She is also the secretary of the Dancing Wheels Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Directors for the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce.

Because of her work ethic and dedication to her community, Barbara has received several awards. In 1994, Barbara received Valmark Securities' ``Excellence is the Exceptional Drive to Exceed Expectations'' award. She has also been awarded the Women's City Club Elsa Pavlik award in 2003 and was a finalist for Inside Business magazine's Athena Award in 2005.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Barbara Daniel for being honored by West Tech Alumni Association and being named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ohio State Senator Thomas Patton who is being inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association.

Born and raised in Cleveland's near Westside, Senator Patton is one of nine children. He attended St. Colman's School before enrolling at West Tech High School. While attending West Tech, Senator Patton was a member of the basketball team. Upon graduating in 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Hawkins, and started classes at Cleveland State University on an athletic scholarship.

In 1974, Senator Patton and his brother, Terry, opened Cleveland Business Systems. In 2002, he decided to run for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. He won the election and represented the 18th District from 2003 until 2008. In November 2008, Senator Patton was elected to the Ohio Senate's 24th District. As an Ohio State Senator he serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee, the Energy and Public Utilities Committee and the Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee. Senator Patton also serves as co-chair of the Ohio Senate Autism Caucus and as a member of the Ohio Turnpike Commission, the Ohio Athletic Commission, the Ohio Rail Development

Commission, the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact and the ODOT Transportation Futures Steering Committee.

Throughout his career, Senator Patton has been recognized with a number of awards and accolades. He has been named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), an Honorary D.A.R.E. Officer by the D.A.R.E. Association of Ohio, Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council Legislator of the Year for Protecting Consumer Choice Award and the Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Professional Society of Engineers. He has also received the Moms for Ohio Public Service Award, the FOP Distinguished Public Servant Award, Ohio Public Images Award, Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association Legislator Award and has been recognized by the Autism Society of Ohio.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Thomas Patton for being honored by the West Tech Alumni Association and being named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Kenneth Swade who is being inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association.

While attending West Tech High School, Kenneth was a member of the 1956 and 1957 cross country state championship teams. He graduated from West Tech in 1958 and attended Bowling Green University on an athletic scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1962. Upon graduating, he began teaching and coaching at Kennard Junior High. In 1964, Kenneth returned to West Tech High School as a teacher and coach. While teaching, Kenneth studied at John Carroll University, where he earned a Master of Arts in Education, focusing on psychology and counseling. After finishing his graduate program in 1968, Kenneth began working as a counselor at A.B. Hart Junior High School. In 1980 he was named School-to-Work Apprenticeship Coordinator. Kenneth enrolled at Kent State University to further his education again and in 1983 graduated with a Master of Arts in Education, focusing on Administration and Supervision. Before retiring in 2001, he spent his career as vocational coordinator at Max. S. Hayes, West Tech, Jane Addams Business Careers and East Technical high schools.

Throughout his career, Kenneth was recognized with a number of awards and accolades. He has been named ``Outstanding Educator,'' ``Outstanding Vocational Coordinator'' twice, ``Man of the Year Award'' by the Rotary Club of Cleveland, and ``Most Outstanding Senior High School Teacher.'' In 1996, the Ohio Department of Education named him to the Ohio Vocational Educational Leadership Institute.

In addition to his career as an educator Kenneth has been an active member of his community. For several years, he was the Teacher/ Coordinator for the Action for Children and Youth in Transition. After retiring in 2001 to Florida with his wife, Dr. Vera Swade, he is serving as President of the Central Citrus Rotary and was also the Council President of his church.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Kenneth Swade for being honored by West Tech Alumni Association and being named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.