Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Robert Rice and his son Gary of Lakewood, Ohio, for their longtime service on behalf of our community and our nation.

Robert Rice, a devoted family man, World War II veteran, dedicated teacher, composer, musician and civic activist has touched the lives of many throughout our community as a music teacher in the Lakewood Public Schools until his retirement in 1983. His wife, the late Betty Rice, was also musically gifted. Together they raised their son Gary with an abiding appreciation for the arts, music, and public service.

Gary Rice followed in his father's path and became a teacher and a musician. Despite being born with hearing and speech impediments, Gary became a talented vocalist and musician, performing numerous times on stage throughout Greater Cleveland. Both Robert and Gary made a profound impact upon the lives of countless students, colleagues and parents. To this day, Robert and Gary continue to share their passion for music by tutoring students, composing, and performing for various schools, senior organizations and veterans groups throughout the Greater Cleveland area. Robert and Gary recently completed an original composition, a march in honor of United States' veterans entitled ``The American Veterans' Last Salute March.'' It has already been performed on several occasions.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Robert Rice and his son Gary for their service to our community and our country. Their strong father-son bond is reflected through their shared love of music and shared spirit of volunteerism. Their work and passion brings music, inspiration and joy into the lives of countless individuals--young and old--throughout our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Robert ``Bob'' Feller on his 92nd birthday on November 3 and for his longtime service in our community and our Nation.

Bob was one of the greatest pitchers in Cleveland Indians history. He made his major league debut in 1936 at the age of 17, where his legendary fastball quickly earned him a reputation around the league. He was given nicknames such as ``Rapid Robert'' and ``Bullet Bob.'' His career was prodigious; it spanned over sixteen seasons, during which he racked up 2581 strikeouts, 3828 innings pitched and 266 wins. These and other monumental totals make up many team and league records that remain intact today. It is no wonder that Bob was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility.

Bob's military service is evidence of his character and love of his country. He served our Nation in the Navy during World War II, becoming the first major league baseball player to enlist as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Though he was in the prime of his career and could have deferred his draft notice, he chose to miss four seasons, serving aboard the U.S.S. Alabama as it patrolled both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. He retired from the Navy at the end of the war as a Chief Petty Officer and returned to his exceptional career with the Indians.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Bob Feller for his excellence in major league baseball and his service to our country. The strength of character he displayed both on and off the field makes him a truly exceptional man and a role model for generations of baseball fans and patriots.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the 120th anniversary of Saint Joseph Academy--the only all-girl Catholic high school in the City of Cleveland.

Saint Joseph Academy was formed in 1890, when the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph created a secondary school for young women, focused on academic excellence, and built upon a foundation of faith, social justice, and service to others.

The mission of Saint Joseph Academy, with a focus on young women becoming leaders in the community, was dramatically ahead of its time. Today, the school has grown in size and in scope of programs offered, but the core mission has remained the same: to mentor young women in a positive and creative atmosphere, as they transition to becoming responsible, independent and compassionate leaders; to hone their academic and interpersonal skills; and to reach their goals and dreams with personal commitments to justice, equality, compassion and integrity.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of all students, staff and administrators of Saint Joseph Academy of Cleveland, Ohio, past and present, as we celebrate their 120th anniversary. The Academy exists as a vital source of opportunity through academic achievement, and also as a springboard of personal strength, confidence and integrity for every young woman who has ever entered its doors, brightening the futures of every student, and ultimately, strengthening the foundation of our entire community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1672, a resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War and reaffirming the commitment of the United States towards Gulf War veterans.

This resolution rightly recognizes the suffering and the needs of Persian Gulf War veterans who continue to suffer from Gulf War Veterans' Illness, GWI, without an adequate treatment or a cure. One in four of those who served in the first Gulf War experience multiple concurrent symptoms including memory and concentration problems, chronic headaches, widespread pain and gastrointestinal problems as a result of neurotoxic exposures during their Gulf War deployment. Research also shows that Gulf War veterans suffer from Lou Gehrig's disease at double the rate of their non-deployed peers. There is still no effective treatment for these veterans.

A groundbreaking report issued by the Congressionally commissioned VA Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses entitled, ``Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans'' identified two definite causes of the disease and a handful of other likely causes: exposure to pesticides and a drug given to troops to protect them from nerve gas.

The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, IOM, released a groundbreaking report on Gulf War health in April, acknowledging that over 250,000 Gulf War veterans suffer from a chronic multisymptom illness that it is not due to psychiatric causes. Perhaps most importantly, the report recognizes the need for national research program that is likely to succeed in identifying treatments for GWI that will also benefit other U.S. military forces.

For the past several years, I have led a bipartisan effort to support the Gulf War Veterans' Illness Research Program within the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. The program was awarded $8 million in fiscal year, FY, 2010 and is critical following the Veteran's Administrations' decision this year to revisit rejected claims for Gulf War Veterans who have attempted to access treatment for the illness linked to their service. The research coming out of this program is among the most promising in the world for these veterans. We can and must do better than to forget the permanent sacrifices they have made. We must not rest until we identify treatments for them and ensure the exposures that caused the illnesses are not duplicated.

I urge my colleagues to continue this bipartisan effort as the FY 2011 Defense Appropriations bill and support funding for the Gulf War Veterans' Illness Research Program. We owe it to Gulf War veterans and all members of our Armed Forces to find a treatment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Ms. Marcel Rocawich Craciun, a generous community leader and a devoted wife, mother, and friend. Her love for her friends and family inspired her to love all people, and she has left behind a legacy of civic engagement, volunteerism, and cooperation.

A lifelong Ohio resident, Ms. Craciun was born on January 17, 1958 to Robert and Annette Rocawich. She was well known in Cleveland for her professional work as a funeral director for the Craciun Funeral Homes. She was the first Craciun woman to receive a funeral director's license and was known for not turning anyone away for lack of funds. In her eyes, everyone deserved a proper funeral.

Marcel's charitable spirit also found expression in extensive volunteer work on Cleveland's west side. She was an active member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and the OLMC Sacred Heart Sodality. She was the first female president of the Edgewater Homeowner's Association and was often called to meet with Mayor Jackson, Councilmember Westbrook, and Councilmember Matt Zone on local issues. She was also actively involved with Boy Scouts of America and numerous parent groups at St. Ignatius High School. Mrs. Craciun cared deeply about her neighborhood, the broader communities she served, and the future of Cleveland. When people asked her why it mattered so much to her, she'd say, ``'Cause this is where my kids live!''

While raising her five children, Marcel received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Cleveland State University with a focus on Anthropology. Her husband James states that she taught her children about respect for different cultures and inspired them to be active and involved members of society. She was also supportive of her husband's international work on Romanian human rights issues. Neighbors will miss her chats over the fence and will remember her wonderful smile, her kindness to everyone at their time of need, and her abundant love for Jimmy and their five children.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Ms. Marcel Rocawich Craciun. I offer my condolences to her husband, Jim; to her brothers, Bob and Ed; to her children, Noelle, Jason, Jonathan, Jesse, and Nicholas; to her brothers and sisters-in-law; and to her many friends. Ms. Craciun lived her life with love, generosity, and commitment to the general welfare. She will always be remembered for her good work and her generous spirit.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Virgil E. Brown, Sr. for his longtime service on behalf of our community.

Virgil was born Louisville, Kentucky on August 12, 1917, and moved to Cleveland in 1929, where his father worked in construction. Virgil graduated from local public schools and attended college at night before beginning a career in insurance and politics. He married Lurtissia Spencer and they had two children. They also have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Virgil thrived as an entrepreneur and small business owner, opening his own insurance agency in the early 1960s. In 1967, he was recruited to run for City Council by a group of local women, though he was a Republican in a Democratic ward. He won the election, and went on to a great career in Cleveland politics, serving six years on the City Council, seven years as the Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, twelve years as the Cuyahoga County Commissioner, and three years as director of the Ohio Lottery.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Virgil E. Brown, Sr., for his dedication to Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. His lifetime of service shows his devotion to the needs of the people in our community, and his hard work will be remembered for years to come.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, I rise today in honor and recognition of Ronald Piechowski, upon the occasion of his 50th anniversary of service to the citizens of Cuyahoga County. His years of dedicated service in the Cashier's Department of the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts Division reflects integrity, professionalism and excellence.

Mr. Piechowski was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest of three sons, to Walter and Cecilia Piechowski. His parents instilled within their boys a sense of pride in their Polish heritage, their family and their Roman Catholic faith. Following graduation from South High School in Cleveland, Mr. Piechowski began his career at the Clerk of Courts office during the summer of 1960. By October of that year, he became a full-time employee and quickly ascended in the Cuyahoga County Court. He joined the National Guard in 1963 and served with honor for four years. Back at the County Court, he started in the files department and worked his way up to dockets and then journal entries. He was soon promoted to the Cashier's Department, and in 1979, he was named Chief Cashier and Supervisor, overseeing a staff of 19. He was responsible for the collection, disbursement, and application of more than $140 million annually. Remarkably, he balanced every ledger, every book, and every account to the penny.

Over the years, Mr. Piechowski has created friendships throughout our Greater Cleveland community. His expertise and work ethic is balanced by his sense of humor, humble demeanor and kind heart. Though not a person to seek the limelight, Mr. Piechowski has been honored with many awards over the years, including recognition by the Cuyahoga County Bar Association for professional excellence.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of Ronald Piechowski, upon the occasion of his 50th anniversary of service to the citizens of Cuyahoga County. His public service reflects unwavering dedication, integrity, precision, excellence and heart. He is a vital force in protecting the public coffers and preserving the public trust. We are grateful for his wonderful and continued service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of award-winning journalist, Neil Zurcher, one of the most beloved and recognizable media personalities in northeast Ohio, upon the joyous occasion of his 75th birthday.

For more than fifty years, Mr. Zurcher's entertaining accounts of unique and out-of-the-way destinations across Ohio have been found on radio and television and travel sections of magazines and newspapers, including his regular column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He was the original host of the immensely popular travel segment: ``One Tank Trips,'' which was broadcast for 25 years on FOX 8 TV in Cleveland.

Driving more than a million miles in 25 years as a travel reporter for FOX 8, Mr. Zurcher uncovered hidden treasures, oddities and beautiful get-away destinations along the urban highways and country roads of Ohio. His accounts and insights into the diverse people, customs, culture and history of Ohio are recorded in the five books he's written, including ``Tales from the Road,'' ``Ohio Road Trips,'' and ``Ohio Oddities.'' A kind, generous and down-to-earth man, Mr. Zurcher never sought accolades; yet he has been honored several times for his excellence in journalism and broadcasting. He is the recipient of an Emmy award, was honored with the Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the Cleveland Assoc. of Broadcasters, and has been inducted into the Cleveland Press Club Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of Neil Zurcher--family man, journalist, TV reporter and author--upon the joyous occasion of this 75th birthday. His chronicles of his travels across Ohio inspire, entertain and educate, creating a sense of wonder, unity and community. We look forward to learning about his travels for the next million miles.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Rinaldo S. Brutoco, a successful technical innovator, entrepreneur and businessman who has dedicated his life to transforming the consciousness of business to be a force for the common good. Mr. Brutoco consistently invests his time, expertise and personal resources to incubate peace-building, ecological sustainability and consciousness-raising initiatives.

As President and founder of the World Business Academy, he has worked to educate, inspire and assist business leaders to take responsibility for society. His work with the Academy led Deepak Chopra to select Mr. Brutoco as his ``favorite intelligent optimist,'' saying, ``Rinaldo Brutoco has provided a platform for harnessing the creativity and compassion of some of the best minds in the world to create a vision of the future of socially and ecologically responsible business. As we now enter a global economic crisis, Rinaldo's ideas on the creation of true wealth that will benefit society will become even more valuable.''

Mr. Brutoco was instrumental in the founding of the National Peace Academy, a historic learning institution that focuses on peace through programs that develop an understanding of the self's role in non- violent conflict resolution. The National Peace Academy is preparing the next generation of peace builders who will bring their unique background to communities as well as the corporate, nonprofit, and government workplace.

As Principal and CEO of the ShangriLa Group, Mr. Brutoco consults on the leading edge of business, renewable energy, international micro and macroeconomics, technology and finance.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of Rinaldo S. Brutoco a practical visionary, change agent and futurist who has compassionately devoted his life, extensive knowledge and considerable talents to the betterment of life on our planet.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Torrey Solomon, upon being named Cleveland Housing Network's 2010 Urban Neighborhood Hero.

Mr. Solomon was born in Cleveland, and grew up in Erie Square Apartments, an inner city apartment complex that was rehabilitated by CHN in 2006. The restoration of the building also included the restoration of hope and opportunity for children living in this building: CHN added an on-site Resident Youth Coordinator, who offered several youth programs and opportunities.

Mr. Solomon became focused on his future goals and dreams, and jumped at every opportunity to learn and succeed. He enrolled in every program, including: Job Readiness Workshops, Junior Achievement Programs, and the Youth After-School Program. With the support and guidance of CHN Resident Coordinator, Tamika Pempton, Mr. Solomon created a new dream of becoming a well-known chef.

When he turned 16, Mr. Solomon heard about a job opening for a dishwasher at the restaurant, Bon Appetit, at Case Western Reserve University. He wore his nicest clothes, and boarded a bus headed for Case, the only candidate out of hundreds to arrive dressed up, with resume in hand. He was offered the job, and quickly worked his way up from dishwasher to prep cook. Following a heartfelt PD article that highlighted his dream of becoming a chef, donations poured in from across the community, to help him with tuition costs at the Culinary Institute of America--where he will be begin his final year this December.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Torrey Solomon, whose dedication, discipline and focus on following his dreams reinforces the philosophy that personal growth, achievement and dreams grow from stable and safe home environments; and, that affordable housing profoundly impacts the lives and futures of adults and children. Moreover, dedicated staff, like Tamika Pempton, and organizations like CHN, are vital to the well-being of families--and are vital to the well-being of our entire community. I wish Mr. Solomon unwavering health, happiness and peace as he continues on this exciting journey. He is a wonderful role model for the youth of our community-- and he is an inspiration to all of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Cleveland radio legend, Ted ``Tall Ted'' Hallaman, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor and friend to many.

Mr. Hallaman's successful career in radio spanned several decades, beginning in 1949 in Pittsburgh, PA, where he attended college at the University of Duquesne. While at the college radio station there, he got the nickname, ``Tall Ted'' because he was 6'1''.

Throughout the 1950s, he worked in various radio markets. In 1960, he was offered a great opportunity to join the team at WGAR-AM (1120) in Cleveland, where he worked for nearly a decade. His devotion to the art of radio broadcasting, and his commitment to capturing the hearts and minds of listeners, never faded. His dedication was reflected in every broadcast; he researched and presented a treasure trove of interesting facts and anecdotes about the songs he played, and about the musicians who performed them. Above all, it was Mr. Hallaman's kindness, wry sense of humor, generosity and positive attitude that forever touched the lives of his family, friends, colleagues and fans.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Ted ``Tall Ted'' Hallaman. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Patricia; to his sons, George, David and Jason; to his daughter- in-law, Lisa; to his grandchildren, Laura, Jennifer, Christina, Sophia, Nicholas, and Emily; to his brother, Paul; and to his extended family members and many friends. Mr. Hallaman was cherished by family, friends and countless radio fans, and he will be remembered always.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Dan Fuller, upon his retirement from the Cleveland Watercraft Division of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, ODNR. For twenty years he protected swimmers and boaters along the shores of Lake Erie with excellence and integrity.

Mr. Fuller's passion to protect people in harm's way came early in his life. When he was 10 years old, Dan and his sister Dee were playing by a creek. Dee fell in and Dan pulled her out from the eddy, saving her life.

A quarterback for his high school football team and an honors student at Hocking Technical College, Dan went on to start his career with the ODNR as a college intern and then as an entry level watercraft officer in 1980. Mr. Fuller went on to become a watercraft specialist, a self defense instructor and an area supervisor. He diligently worked to improve methods and programs in water safety; he led the effort to implement the first certified self-defense course for the Lake Erie Division of Watercraft Safety. He enforced boating laws, taught boating safety and was instrumental in bringing together law enforcement agencies to work toward the common goal of keeping Lake Erie waterways safe and secure.

Mr. Fuller established the Central Lake Erie Law Enforcement Agency and facilitated regularly scheduled meetings for the past ten years. For the past decade, he served as the Supervisor of the Cleveland Watercraft Office, where he was in charge of staff coordination, educational efforts and waterway law enforcement. Mr. Fuller's work has been recognized with several honors and awards, including the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Award, National Water Safety Congress Award and Officer of the Year Award.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of Dan Fuller, whose longtime service to our community is framed by expertise, integrity and unwavering dedication to keeping boaters educated and protected along the waterways of Lake Erie. As he embarks on a new voyage, I wish Mr. Fuller, and his family, an abundance of health, happiness and peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Stanley Eugene Tolliver, a dedicated family man, accomplished attorney, community advocate and civil rights leader on the occasion of his 85th birthday.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Tolliver attended Cleveland Public Schools. He earned his undergraduate degree at Baldwin-Wallace College with a major in pre-law. He graduated with a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1951. After law school, Mr. Tolliver served honorably in the United States Army.

Mr. Tolliver lives his life with a focus on service to others and to his community. He served for many years on behalf of the City of Cleveland schools. He was appointed by the late Judge Frank Battisti to the Committee of the Office of School Monitoring and Community Relations. He was elected as a member of the Cleveland School Board in 1981 and was re-elected in 1985 and 1987. In 1990, Mr. Tolliver was elected as President of the School Board.

Mr. Tolliver has also been a lifelong leader in our nation's struggle for civil rights. He served as legal counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Congress of Racial Equality. He worked as the legal advisor for the Shield Club and led the indictment of ten Cleveland police officers for violent crimes. On the forefront of the civil rights movement in Cleveland, and across the country, Mr. Tolliver's work paved the way for equal rights and justice for all.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor of Stanley Eugene Tolliver, as we celebrate the joyous occasion of his 85th birthday. His commitment to our community and to our nation reflects integrity, generosity and heart. We are grateful for his continued service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the staff and volunteers of MedWish International of Cleveland, Ohio, a nonprofit organization that specializes in recovering and recycling donated medical supplies. Those supplies are then used to provide critically needed medical care in developing countries around the world.

For the past fourteen years, medical facilities in the Cleveland community have donated medical supplies and equipment to MedWish International. These supplies have then been distributed to medical care organizations and volunteer medical teams around the world. MedWish supplies are often lifesaving and they significantly improve the quality of health care provided within impoverished regions around the world. MedWish supplies and equipment are never sold.

Locally, recovery and recycling of unused medical supplies is good for the environment, significantly reducing the amount of solid waste deposited in local landfills. In addition, MedWish International also serves as an excellent point of reference for health care professionals and nonprofit medical organizations committed to learning more about the great need for quality medical care, globally and locally.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of MedWish International of Cleveland, Ohio, whose work on behalf of recovering, recycling and distributing donated medical supplies and equipment for lifesaving medical procedures and treatment brings hope and healing to individuals around the world.

Madam Speaker, and colleagues, I rise today in honor and recognition of the 6th Anniversary of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland, as they hold their 6th Annual Mayo Society Charitable Ball & Banquet, on October 2, 2010. This years' honorees are: Kevin O'Donnell, the Mayo Person of the Year; Michael Burke, Chairman of Mayo County, Ireland; and, Keynote Speaker, Michael Feeney, of the Mayo County, Peace Park, Garden of Remembrance.

Since its inception in 2004, the mission of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland has been to strengthen bonds that connect the people of our community and our nation with the people of Ireland--with a special focus on County Mayo, where a large number of American citizens in the Cleveland area trace their ancestral origins.

The Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland promotes exchanges with Ireland that center around cultural, scientific, literary, and artistic exchanges between the two countries. The Society also seeks to research and analyze Irish immigration and the impact that Irish immigrants had in shaping our nation's history. In addition, charitable work is also a priority. Fundraisers and other volunteer efforts are organized, in Cleveland, and in Ireland, to assist impoverished individuals and families whenever in need.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the members and leaders of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland, whose heritage originated across the ocean to the Emerald Isle, remains alive in Cleveland through the history, culture and tradition of Ireland. Irish Americans are a significant component within the brilliant mosaic of diversity that is the foundation of our community. Contributions made by Irish Americans within our city and across our nation are immeasurable, and will forever be connected--

from the lake shores of Cleveland, to the emerald fields of County Mayo.