Stephanie Jones

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Dennis Bydash is proud to note that he has risen from the very bottom of the office of Gerald E. Fuerst, Clerk of Courts, who nominated him for this award, to the very top. Starting in 1972 as a filing clerk, hired for a 90 day period, he has, in almost 27 years, been given 6 promotions and now serves in a key leadership position as the Office Manager of the Civil Division, where he supervises over 100 employees and acts as the liaison between the Clerk's office and the 57 judges who depend on the Clerk's office and the offices of the County Prosecutor, the County Sheriff and the County Auditor. To Dennis, the most rewarding aspects of his service in the Clerk's office is to see a smile on the face of an individual or to receive a thank you directly or through a letter to Mr. Fuerst. He recognizes that the Justice Center can be cold and intimidating to the average citizen and works hard to see that the Clerk's office helps that average citizen when it can or that it directs the individual to the appropriate office in the justice system. Dennis is also active in his local community. He has participated in insuring that the Broadway neighborhood received a new fire station. He has served as President of his Ward's Democratic club for 16 of the last 18 years. He has volunteered in many political campaigns from the Congressional to the local level. Beyond that, Dennis is an avid photographer and student of railroading, with a large collection of memorabilia, including thousands of his own pictures of railroads, some of which have been published. He is happy also to grow vegetables in his garden and can them. Dennis recalls fondly a 1977 inquiry on the filing of a divorce from a young lawyer during the midst of accusations by some lawyers that the Clerk's office's employees, in helping the public, was practicing law without a license. Despite his fear that the question might be part of that effort, he helped the lawyer, in his own words ``in a somewhat hard way.'' Just over two years later, he and that lawyer, Michaele Tyner married, and they recently celebrated their 18th anniversary.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for over 28 years, couples seeking a license to marry in Cuyahoga County have likely encountered Brenda Sessions, Judge John Donnelly's nominee. Starting as a deputy clerk, Brenda now supervises this important office which, in addition, to issuing marriage licenses, corrects birth records and assists genealogists seeking family documents. A Cleveland Heights resident and the mother of Myah, she prides herself in following her mother's advice to work hard, be self- sufficient and to help others. She only regrets that her mother failed to teach her how to cook. Brenda is a life-long member of Morning Star Baptist Church and has been active in many of that church's programs. During her daughter's attendance at Christ the King School, she served on the Parent Executive Board. She enjoys her collection of porcelain elephants (a symbol of good luck), reads, listens to gospel and jazz music, attends movies and theatrical events, plays racquetball and rides. Among the many, many marriage license applications Brenda has prepared, with both bride and groom present, she remembers, with amusement, two particular instances. In one, a woman admitted to four prior marriages and denied the Court's apparent record of an additional three marriages. Her groom left, and that couple was never seen again. In another, a rather aged groom, accompanied by a young intended bride, denied the existence of a much earlier marriage which the Court's records revealed, but mysteriously knew the last name of the bride in the earlier marriage, when Brenda had only mentioned the first name.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Charlene Starr has, for over 30 years, been an employee of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office where she now supervises 12 staff personnel in the Tax Foreclosure Department who process between 3,000 and 4,000 tax foreclosure cases each year to ensure either that the appropriate taxes are paid or that the properties proceed to foreclosure sale, an often complex process. From an early age, Charlene listened to her parents' teachings to develop a good work ethic and to appreciate her good fortune in what she had and to care for those who were less fortunate. She has sought to combine those in performing her job, while retaining a compassionate attitude towards others. Charlene is also proud of her role in her office's receiving grants from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University and in a national award as one of 4 models for ``Re-inventing Government''. A Brooklyn resident, Charlene was active for many years with members of the Cleveland Police Department in the ``Cops, Kids & Christmas'' program providing toys for unfortunate children in orphanages, hospitals and other locations and in gathering toys and contributions throughout the year at public events. She enjoys camping and fishing, cooking, reading and computers, among other activities and is an active member of St. Colman's Church.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for the past 22 years, Nancy Emshoff Meany has been an Investigator for the Domestic Relations Division. Nominated by Administrative Judge Timothy M. Flanagan, Nancy takes pride in having the same job for that period and still enjoying it. She visits the homes of parties in custody disputes to see that the parents provide a decent home, contacts neighbors, references and other agencies having knowledge of the family and does other background research prior to writing a report of her findings for use by the Court's judges and magistrates. She recalls a number of humorous incidents, but relates that many of them may not be appropriate for a family audience. However, at the beginning of her employment, she recalls one man's getting so upset that his toupee flew off his head; Nancy maintained her composure and did not laugh. After graduating from American University in Washington, D.C., in three years, she returned to Cleveland prior to beginning employment with the Court. She credits her parents with helping her and her five brothers and sisters to learn to help others, a skill she feels led her to her current position. She lives in Solon, with her husband Thomas and her 3\1/2\ year old son Michael, with whom she spends time walking in the Metro Parks (when she's not chasing Michael). She golfs, swims, reads and enjoys travel.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for just under a quarter century, Dennis S. DiMatteo has worked for the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, where he now serves as a Supervisor in the Probation Department. Nominated by Administrative and Presiding Judge Richard McMonagle, Dennis oversees other probation officers and is involved specifically in such programs as those involving electronic home detention work release, mentally retarded offenders and intensive special probation. He was a pioneer probation officer in community service and work release programs and has, with others, created rules and policies for the court in many of these areas. Married to Patricia and the father of Michael and Carla, Dennis Lives in Lyndhurst. Following his graduation from Ohio State University, he served as an officer in the United States Army prior to entering service with the Court. An avid Ohio State alumnus and, especially, a fan of its football program, Dennis also enjoys reading science fiction and watching Cleveland Indians baseball. Lillian M. Elmore As Deputy Administrator of the Eighth Appellate District of the Court of Appeals of Ohio, Lillian M. Elmore has many duties. She greets the public and answers their questions about the Court's processes, administers the motion docket, supplements files, updates the Court's data base and even acts as a Bailiff in some oral arguments. Nominated by Chief Judge Patricia Ann Blackmon, Lillian has risen from being a clerk-typist to secretary to administrator in the more than two decades she has worked at the Court of Appeals. Mother of Ricardo, she volunteers at Bedford High School, where Rico is a student, is a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and is also active in fund raising for many charities, including the United Negro College Fund. Lil, as her friends know her, prides herself on being willing to go ``the extra mile'' to help others, and, for herself enjoys walking, aerobics and dancing, among other activities.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Kathryn Ann Marie George has spent almost 27 years as a probation officer for the Juvenile Court, most recently as a senior probation officer at the Court's Near West Field Office. She has worked with juvenile offenders and their families while they are on probation and helps the offenders comply with specific court orders in the hope that these troubled children become productive adults. She remembers fondly the calls she has received from some families offering their thanks for her help in dealing with the child's problems. And she also numbers her co-workers among her closest friends and believes that they, like she, are ``caring, good-hearted, dedicated people''. She stresses the benefit she has had of a warm and loving family, including her parents, Sam and Ann, her brothers, Sam and Mike, and her nephews, Michael and Steven, all of whom have stood by her in both good and bad times, and she hopes that her efforts can help those assigned to her in her profession with the same support she received from her family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family and friends, traveling to Magic Conventions and to Las Vegas, attending craft shows, making crafts, and watching movies, especially old movies, and plays. She also volunteers at her church, has been a volunteer camp counselor during her vacations and has helped other organizations at the May Dugan Center, where her field office is located.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, Mary Ann Koster is the Director of Scheduling at Cleveland Municipal Court, whose Administrative Judge Larry Jones nominated her in recognition of 25 years' service. Under her supervision, the office schedules all civil and criminal cases on the personal dockets of the Court's judges and collates and reports case statistics for use by the Court internally and for reports by the Court to the Ohio Supreme Court. Mary Ann takes pride in the title ``Public Servant'' and strives to do her best for the Court and its personnel, and, especially, for the public served by the Court. Married to Don Koster for almost 20 years, Mary Ann lives in Columbia Station. She has raised and exhibited roses at all levels of competition. She looks forward to bring the national fall convention of the American Rose Society to Cleveland in the year 2001 and will, in 1999, stand for examination for Consulting Rosarian and Judge.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for 21 years, Julianne M. Diulus has worked at the Berea Municipal court, whose Judge, William C. Todia nominated her for this reward. She works as Judge Todia's secretary and also assists the Court's Probation Officer, Josette Lebron. Her duties include typing correspondence, journal entries and court documents, compiling files for each probationer prior to sentencing and all other secretarial duties for these officers. Coming from a family of caretakers, Julie believes that it is essential to help others and to do the best at whatever she attempts. She has tried to instill these same values in her children and is proud to have watched her three children, Nicole, Mary and Lewis, grow into adults and achieve their goals. A resident of Brook Park, Julie is active at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, attends Cuyahoga Community College and loves to read and collect books, fiction, non-fiction and biographies. She has no human enemies at the Court, but Julie fights constantly with the copier and other machines. As part of her care-taking, she tries to maintain order in the office, but she notes that once, when Ms. Lebron was on vacation, she cleaned and straightened the Probation Officer's desk, only to be told that the effort was appreciated, but that Ms. Lebron could not find anything for days.

Mrs. JONES of Ohio

Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, my first opportunity to speak from this well, on a solemn note, to memorialize and make part of the Congressional Record the life of the late Ronald Donnell Walker, the husband of my sister, Barbara Walker, and my brother-in-law. Ronald Walker, who we affectionately call Uncle Ron, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 20, 1947. He attended Chattanooga public schools, graduating from Howard High School in 1965. He attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia where he majored in history and excelled at football. Upon graduation, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions football organization. However, his football career was cut short by a football injury. In 1970, Ron married his college sweetheart, my sister, Barbara Tubbs. From this union, one son, Khari Walker, was born. Ron was a certified property manager, and his professional career took his family to many cities. In each of these cities, he became actively involved with the church. Ronald and Barbara were a team. When you asked for one, you always got two. So it was, from the beginning of their marriage right up to the end. My sister Barbara was my campaign manager in my successful bid for Congress. It is as a result of their hard work that I stand before my colleagues today. Most recently, Ron organized a bus trip to Washington for the 106th Congress swearing in. My last opportunity to see him. Thank God it was a joyous occasion, and all of my family was here to witness it. God blessed me and the 11th Congressional District with this wonderful couple. I know that his work on earth will bring heavenly rewards. Mr. Speaker, I include Ron's obituary for the Congressional Record. The document is as follows: The Obituary of Ronald Donnell Walker Ronald Donnell Walker, son of Lenora Walker and the late John H. Walker, was born October 20, 1947, in Chatanooga, Tennessee. Ron attended Chatanooga public schools, graduating from Howard High School in 1965. He attended college at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he majored in History and excelled at football. Ron was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and was nicknamed Ron ``Freeway'' Walker. He graduated in 1969 and was drafted by the Detroit Lions football organization. His football career was cut short by a football injury. He then began to pursue a career in property management. In 1970 Ron married his college sweetheart, Barbara Tubbs. To this union, one son, Khari Walker, was born. The Walkers lived in many cities beginning in Cleveland, later moving to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Hartford, back to Cleveland, Dayton, Pittsburgh and most recently, to Cleveland again. Ron was very active in the campaign to elect Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11) and had recently returned from the official congressional swearing-in in Washington, D.C. Ron professed his faith at an early age. In each city, in which the family lived, he found a church home and became very active. At First Baptist Church in Hartford, he was an ordained deacon and member of its housing corporation. In Dayton, Ron joined Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, in Pittsburg, Mount Arat Baptist Church. Each time they returned to Cleveland, Ron and Barbara reunited with Bethany Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and she served as a missionary. They both worked with the pastor's aid and with the young people of Bethany. Ron was devoted to his family and he left a host of family and friends to celebrate his life. Among them are his wife of twenty eight (28) years, Barbara Walker, sons, Khari Walker (Atlanta, GA.) and Kevin Erskine (Deborah, Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and three granddaughters, Jalysa, Jenne and Jenysa. He is also survived by his mother, Lenora Walker (Chatanooga, Tenn.), two sisters Julia Tousaint (New York, N.Y.) and Althea Jackson (Chatanooga, Tenn.), one brother, Rev. Anthony Walker (Lagail, Atlanta, GA.), one aunt, Dorothy Gilliam (Queens, N.Y.) his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tubbs (Mary) sisters-in-law, Stephanie Tubbs Jones (Mervyn and Mervyn II) and Mattie Still (Robert, San Francisco, CA.). His brother, John H. Walker Jr. predeceased him. Ron loved the Lord and he let his work speak for him. His generous size camouflaged his gentle mature. His captivating smile and infectious personality will be missed by all.