Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I thank the Speaker. I spoke here a minute ago on the floor of the House concerning my deep and abiding concern about a nuclear power plant in the State of Ohio called the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant. This power plant, from the time it was first licensed, has experienced a series of shutdowns, so much so that there was a period when the companies that originally owned it had massive losses because the plant was not up and running. They had so many difficulties that it became an embarrassment to the nuclear industry, itself. We are now at a point when this plant is trying to get a new license for its nuclear facility. There are over 104 nuclear power plants in America. Some of them have achieved re-licensing. Others are in the process of applying. One of the things that we have to be concerned about, because we are talking about nuclear power plants, is the structural stability of the plants, which includes the shield building and reactor, and that the structural stability of these plants is going to be assured. In the case of FirstEnergy, they have a shield building, and there have been questions raised about its structural stability. Unfortunately, FirstEnergy went out of its way to tell one story to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and another story to the public. They told the public that the cracks that were seen in the shield building were not really substantive, but they told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission another story. Understanding that we have a lack of candor on the part of a nuclear reactor permit holder here, we have to be very concerned about their public statements, about their private disclosures, and about the implications for relicensing. These cracks in the shield building, which are in the circumference of the building, they're telling the Nuclear Regulatory Commission the reason these cracks occurred is because there was this blizzard in 1978, where the wind direction was--if I'm correct--primarily out of the southwest, that this is responsible for the cracks. But the cracks are around the whole building. They're not able to explain that. Nor do we know whether or not their sister reactors on the other side of Lake Erie at the Perry nuclear power plant have, in fact, been adequately inspected to see if the same winter storm adversely affected them. If the winter storm did not adversely affect them at the Perry plant, then how is it that you had cracks only at Davis-Besse? And why were the cracks around the circumference of the building, instead of just in one area where the wind was driving the snow? In 2002, FirstEnergy covered up information about a hole in the head of the reactor. I want to ask my friend from Minnesota if he needs any of this time right now, because I can conclude. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. KUCINICH. I'm going to shortly yield and ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Minnesota would be able to have the balance of the time.

Mr. KUCINICH. I ask the Chair if it would be possible for me to have unanimous consent to yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. KUCINICH. I would just ask for a moment to conclude here. Why am I bringing this up about the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant? Some people would say: Why shouldn't you give FirstEnergy the benefit of the doubt? This is a company that 10 years ago covered up information about the hole in the head of a nuclear reactor. They were this close to having a breach, a fraction of an inch from having a breach of the reactor. They had files that were in a photo, and Federal investigators weren't given access to that. It ended up where this company gets fined $28 million because they weren't candid with the government and could have put the people of Ohio and Michigan and Indiana and Canada and the water of Lake Erie in jeopardy. Many people remember, particularly in cities in the east, that time in August of 2003, where all the lights went out in the east. Remember, some people were sitting on their door steps for the first time with no city lights, looking up at the stars, but it wasn't particularly all that beautiful because what was not beautiful is the fact that there was this massive loss of power all over America's east coast that came about because of a series of technical glitches, the root cause of which was that this company, FirstEnergy, wasn't properly trimming trees because they didn't want to hire the people to do it. This is the same company that's telling us the reason why they have cracks in a shield building is because of a blizzard 34 years ago. Hello. We have to be very careful before we let a company that operates so fast and loose with the truth be in a position to have a license to continue to operate this nuclear power plant. In the alternative, they're going to have to make massive repairs. If they won't make the massive repairs, then the NRC ought to do the right thing for the American people and have this shut down. I do not want to see another Fukushima in the United States of America. I do not want to see the people in my district at risk. I do not want to see the people in Ohio put at risk because you've a got a company like FirstEnergy operating in the shoddy way in which they operate, misrepresenting conditions to the public, and telling the NRC one thing and the people another. I can promise you, Mr. Speaker, I intend to stay on top of this. I appreciate the opportunity here, and I yield the remainder of the time to the gentleman from Minnesota, the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus of the Congress, a person who has done a lot to take the message of the Progressive Caucus across this Nation in a way that's been very dynamic, the Honorable Keith Ellison.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Marine Week so that we may join in a celebration of the individuals who dedicate themselves to the service and defense of this great country. Each year a city is chosen to host National Marine Week and to serve as a venue to showcase the achievements of our most elite service members. This year Cleveland, Ohio was chosen to bring together technology, history, Marines and the public they serve. Cleveland is a fitting location as currently more than 9,000 active duty or reserve Marines hail from the state of Ohio. By highlighting the community, country and Corps, National Marine Week is both an educational and civic event which fosters awareness and connection between the military and civilian communities. A week including Marine sporting events, speakers, and bands demonstrates the wide array of talents which fuel the Corps forces both at home and abroad. Various demonstrations will showcase the Expeditionary Forces in Readiness. The week is a unique exchange of thanks and respect for soldier and citizen alike. By remembering the sacrifices of the past, as well as the missions which continue to require our forces in the future, National Marine Week is a sign of the gratitude and honor which these heroes deserve. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues please join me in honoring National Marine Week 2012 to show our appreciation to those who give so much in service to their country.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 7th, 2012, the American Film Institute bestowed its prestigious 40th Lifetime Achievement Award upon actress Shirley MacLaine. I was privileged to speak at the event in tribute to my dear friend. I submit my remarks for the Congressional Record: ``I met Shirley MacLaine 33 years ago, with Congresswoman Bella Abzug at Elaine's Restaurant in New York City, the beginning of a magical friendship. She is my daughter Jackie's godmother. Seven years ago Shirley officiated at Elizabeth's and my wedding. The Shirley MacLaine I know has an uncommon intellectual curiosity, borne of a courageous approach to life. She has the capacity, in an instant, to go very deep into human experience, into the cosmos, into herself. Her gift to her friends is her ceaseless call for authenticity, the challenge to take off the mask, and compassion for those who journey towards the inner truth. ``The poet, Walt Whitman, may have anticipated Shirley when he wrote ``I contain multitudes.'' Shirley brings an extraordinary emotional coloration to the Art of Life and to the performing arts that is so vivid that she has the ability to light up a character, light up stage and screen and light up our lives. ``In a world where most people play it safe, Shirley pushes the envelope, to pierce the veil which covers reality itself, to explore and to guide us to other dimensions. She has lived a life out on the limb, picking apples that most would fear to reach, and tonight. Shirley, you are harvesting an orchard.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in celebrating Shirley MacLaine's extraordinary career and her attainment of the AFI's 40th Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, FirstEnergy, which operates the Davis- Besse nuclear power plant, has consistently misrepresented to the public structural defects in the building that shields its reactor. Their latest fable is that cracks in the circumference of the shield building were caused by a snowstorm that occurred in 1978. In 2002, FirstEnergy covered up information about a hole in the head of a reactor that jeopardized the safety of millions of people, for which they were fined $28 million. FirstEnergy caused the blackout in August 2003, which put 50 million people in the dark, because they were too cheap to hire people to trim trees. Can they be believed when they claim a snowstorm 34 years ago created cracks that appear today? Are buildings all over northern Ohio falling apart today because of the blizzard of '78, or is this just another in a series of desperate lies used to keep a plant going that should be either shut down or massively repaired? How long before FirstEnergy's 34-year snow job is fully exposed?

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the International Services Center of Cleveland, Ohio, which is observing World Refugee Day on June 20, 2012, with an evening of international food, music, friendship, and celebration of all refugees who call Northeast Ohio ``home.'' The International Services Center (ISC) was founded in 1916. The ISC settles refugees through the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), of which it is a partner agency. Thousands of refugees are brought to the United States every year because they cannot return to their home countries and do not enjoy basic rights in the countries where they sought refuge. Hundreds are resettled in Ohio. The International Services Center helps these refugees integrate quickly into the Greater Cleveland community by providing them with the tools of self-reliance: housing, job placement, employment skills, clothing, medical attention, education, English-language classes, and community orientation. The ISC offers other services as well, including immigration consultation and representation, interpretation and translation, citizenship preparation, acculturation classes, anti- trafficking, and urban agriculture for entrepreneurship. The International Services Center has helped resettle 106 refugees in the past year alone. Since the office opened in 1916, more than 13,000 refugees from many countries have embarked on a path to reach their full potential and enjoy safety, security, and a second chance in life. World Refugee Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees domestically and throughout the world. Refugees are a testament to the United States' long, proud history as a sanctuary for those who seek lives free from violence and oppression. World Refugee Day is an opportunity for the entire Cleveland-area community to come together to celebrate the contributions of our friends and neighbors who are immigrants and refugees who bring great diversity to enrich the Northeast Ohio region. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating World Refugee Day and acknowledging the important work of Cleveland's International Services Center.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rosary Hall, on the occasion of its 60 year anniversary of providing important services to individuals struggling with the destructive disease of addiction. Founded by Sister Ignatia in 1952, Rosary Hall has remained at the forefront of effective and innovative behavioral therapy programs, developing shortly after the founding of the first Alcoholics Anonymous in nearby Akron. In affiliation with St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, Rosary Hall works with families, friends, and co-workers of patients in a supportive and compassionate environment. Since the Hall's founding it has helped to save over 50,000 people from the debilitating and deadly grips of addiction. Rosary Hall's success is facilitated by a process which spans the entire road to recovery: from inpatient detoxification programs in a hospital setting, to outpatient rehabilitation and finally to community-centered support networks. Rosary Hall is staffed by a team of dedicated professionals who constantly seek to develop skills in order to ensure that each patient receives the personalized care and strategies which will leave them equipped to handle this difficult disease. Rosary Hall continues to be a pioneer in the field of addiction treatment research. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, join me in honoring Rosary Hall as it enters its 60th year of saving lives, families, and providing people the freedom to live healthy and happy lives.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Scottish Rite Masons of New Mexico on the occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico. On this occasion they also celebrate New Mexico's 100th year as a State of the Union. The celebration at the Scottish Rite Temple includes tours, outdoor activities, a parade, a private reception, a brunch, a public exemplification of a Scottish Rite Degree and a Period Dress Ball in the evening. Though the exact time of the beginning of Freemasonry is unknown, many of the symbols and language come from the Middle Ages. It has become a worldwide fraternity which focuses on self-improvement and social betterment. Freemasons partake in philanthropy, service, funding of research, and spreading ideals in which they believe. Currently, there are four million Masons worldwide. Notable Masons throughout time are George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, John Paul Jones and Chief Justice John Marshall to name a few. Notable actions of the Masons include spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment, the formation of the democratic government and supporting the first public schools in both Europe and America. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the Scottish Rite and all Freemasons on the joyous occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Stuart J. Greenberg on the occasion of his retirement as executive director of Environmental Health Watch (EHW). As an EHW founding board member, staff member for 28 years, and chief executive for 19 years, Stu became a pioneer in the field of healthy housing leaving a rich legacy and a number of accomplishments which have led to healthier children and families both in and around the Cleveland area and across the country. Stu was instrumental in establishing the first national conference on healthy homes and, with a small group of peer experts, literally coined the term ``healthy home.'' Stu's work with EHW was not limited to the inside of the home. As part of his work with EHW, Stu helped to develop Local Emergency Planning Committees, or LEPCs, which facilitate collaboration and information sharing among partners in emergency response. Stu helped to get provisions for LEPCs in the 1986 ``Right-to-Know'' amendments to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, better known as ``Superfund.'' Stu's participation and leadership in Cuyahoga County's LEPC over the last 25 years has contributed to the safety of local communities in Northeast Ohio. EHW, formerly the Council on Hazardous Materials, was not the first organization which Stu took from concept to reality. Stu was a co- founder and first executive director of Spectrum of Supportive Services, formerly Panta Rhei, Inc., a rehabilitation agency now affiliated with Recovery Resources, Inc., for people re-entering the community following long-term mental health-related hospitalizations. Stu began his college education at Western Reserve University, where he graduated cum laude in 1966 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology. Then, in 1970, Stu graduated from the Case Institute of Technology, earning a Master of Science degree in Organizational Behavior. Stu has served on many councils, committees, and boards and has received numerous awards and distinctions for his expertise, activism, and dedication to social justice, such as the 2005 Howard Metzenbaum Citizen Action Award by Ohio Citizen Action. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Stu Greenberg on his path-forging and inspiring career and service to the Greater Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Thomas ``Tommy'' Gregory, a man who devoted himself to the well-being of his family, friends, community and nation. Born on October 1, 1949 in Lubbock, Texas, Mr. Gregory dedicated 35 years of his life to public service with the United States Department of Agriculture. He was Director and Head Statistician of the National Agricultural Statistics Service Mississippi Field Office for 18 years. He developed programs, systems and publications of great use to the agricultural community. One of his priorities was to enlist, encourage, and mentor new employees to secure the future effectiveness of the Agency. Mr. Gregory was highly respected in the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and was known for making special efforts with colleges in his area to encourage minority students to apply for work there. He recently received recognition for being the first white man in Mississippi to join the Black Employees of NASS Organization. Additionally, Mr. Gregory was an active and courageous supporter of reforming our nation's broken monetary system. This year the Board of Trustees of the American Monetary Institute bestowed the Courage of Conviction Award to him, in honor and lasting memory of his active support in promoting monetary reform for the benefit of all Americans. He is survived by his wife Lanet, his three children Kelsey, Britny, and Garrett, and four grandchildren. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Tommy Gregory, a man of unwavering faith and vision who had the courage to live by his convictions and make a difference. He will be remembered for his outstanding and enduring service for the greater good.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the very mechanism dictated by the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and the Medical Device User Fee Act is flawed. It is an inherent conflict of interest for drug and medical device manufacturers to pay millions of dollars in fees to the FDA that are designed to speed up regulatory approval, when the FDA is charged with making sure those drugs are safe and effective. H.R. 5651, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act, perpetuates that flawed model. At the same time, we have a shortage of affordable, and in some cases life saving drugs that must be addressed immediately. Currently, while the pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers are allowed to pay to expedite approval, no such privilege exists for generic drugs. Such a competitive disadvantage has the result of keeping much less expensive and equally effective drugs off the market while boosting profits for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Our seniors deserve better than to have to split pills because pharmaceutical companies have an exclusive right to manipulate the market to pad their already massive profit margins at the expense of those in need to pharmaceuticals. This bill corrects that imbalance. This bill also begins to address the increasingly prevalent sudden episodes of shortages of drugs that are life-supporting or life-sustaining. Such episodes are immediately life- threatening if caregivers are not given sufficient notice to identify alternative supplies or treatments. I support the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012 and will continue to work for FDA reform.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Friendship Circle of Cleveland, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Jewish children who have special needs with a full range of social recreational and Judaic experiences; providing their parents with respite and support; and enriching, inspiring and motivating Jewish teens through sharing of themselves with others. Led by co-executive directors, Rabbi Yossi Marozov and Mrs. Estie Marozov, the Friendship Circle offers a wide-array of programs for the children they serve. The services provided include after-school programs, volunteer opportunities, at-home assistance, and cooking classes. The Friendship Circle provides almost all of its services to special needs children by pairing them with teen volunteers. Last fall, the Friendship Circle moved to a new 12,000 square-foot space in Pepper Pike. The new building is twice the size of their former facility in South Euclid and was retrofitted especially to accommodate the needs of special needs children. On Thursday, June 7, 2012, the Friendship Circle will be hosting ``The Art of Friendship'' event. The celebration with recognize the 2011 2012 teen volunteers. It will feature a tribute to leading autism awareness advocates Shari and Michael Goldberg and a presentation by chalk artist and speaker Richard Hight. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the Friendship Circle of Cleveland, a life-changing organization for thousands of area Jewish children with special needs.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ms. Beth Mooney, who is being honored as the fifth recipient of the Notre Dame College Medal. Born and raised in Midland, Michigan, Ms. Mooney's family relocated to Texas prior to her senior year of high school. She studied history at the University of Texas where she graduated summa cum laude in 1977. Following graduation, Ms. Mooney took on jobs at First City National Bank of Houston and Republic Bank in Dallas. While working with Republic Bank, she earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University in 1983. After more than 30 years of experience in banking, which includes serving as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for AmSouth Bancorporation, Ms. Mooney joined KeyCorp in 2006 as Vice Chair of Key Community Banking. Just a few years later, Ms. Mooney was made the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KeyCorp, becoming the first woman to head one of the 20 largest independent banks in the United States. In addition to serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KeyCorp, Ms. Mooney is a dedicated member of the Greater Cleveland community. She is a trustee and treasurer of the board of the Musical Arts Association/The Cleveland Orchestra, a trustee of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, a trustee of United Way of Greater Cleveland, a member of The Financial Services Roundtable and board chair of Neighborhood Progress, Inc. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Ms. Beth Mooney, the recipient of the 2012 Notre Dame College Medal.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Mazen Naous, an internationally recognized professor, poet and author. A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Naous immigrated to the United States at the age of eighteen to pursue his collegiate career. He attended The Boston Conservatory and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Composition and Classic Guitar. He continued his education at the University of Massachusetts Boston where he earned a Master of Arts in 2001 and his Ph.D. in English Literature from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007. During his post-graduate studies, Dr. Naous was the recipient of the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Work in the Field of Poetry and a national Consortium for Faculty Diversity Fellowship. Dr. Naous has dedicated his career to higher education and improving intercultural understanding between the United States and Arab world. Currently, Dr. Naous is an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at the College of Wooster. Previously, he taught at the Lebanese American University, City University of New York and College of Staten Island. Dr. Naous will be returning to Lebanon in the next academic year where he will be teaching at the University of Balamand. Currently, Dr. Naous is working on his first book, The Arab American Novel and Alternative Poetics. According to Dr. Naous, the book aims to secure a space for Arab American literature in the fields of American studies and postcolonial diasporas, and assert its importance to aesthetics and artistic innovation. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the renowned career of Dr. Mazen Naous.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Father John Carlin, who is celebrating his 25th Anniversary as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Father Carlin graduated from Borromeo College Seminary in 1972 and later from St. Mary Seminary in 1976. Later that year he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cleveland. In 1987, Father Carlin was appointed Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish at the young age of 38. As Pastor, Father Carlin has been a loving and compassionate leader of his church. He provides guidance and hospitality for his parishioners and serves as a mentor to seminarians. He is dedicated to the spiritual and educational development of each parishioner and has helped maintain St. Charles Borromeo School during his time as Pastor. Every building of the nearly 90-year-old parish has been updated and renovated under Father Carlin's pastorate. This year marks Father Carlin's 25th anniversary as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Father John Carlin, the Pastor who has shown tremendous leadership and guidance to his parish for the past quarter century.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Cleveland's West Side Market, a publicly-owned market that has been a city landmark for the past 100 years. The Market was originally an open-air farmer's market that was established in 1840. It eventually became known as the Pearl Street Market when an enclosed building was built to house the many vendors. Today, the West Side Market is located across the street from the old Pearl Street Market. It was built in 1912, making this year its 100th anniversary. The West Side Market features over 100 vendors who sell a variety of fresh food items, including meat, seafood, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and pastries. Some of the vendors are third, fourth, and even fifth generation vendors whose ancestors were original occupants at the opening of the Market. The Market has retained the same selection of culturally and ethnically diverse foods that could be found in 1912 when many of the vendors were immigrants to Cleveland. For many Clevelanders, the West Side Market is a place full of memories and traditions, and is a symbol of their Cleveland heritage. The celebration of 100th anniversary of the West Side Market will begin on June 2, 2012 with a Kick-Off event that will feature the opening of the newly renovated Market Square Park. The Kick-Off will also include performances by Happy Timers Polka, Belly Dancers, Duo Anime, Rey Cintron Latin Jazz, Csardas Dance Company and The Academy. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring The West Side Market, a historical landmark that has remained a beloved cornerstone of the Cleveland community for the past 100 years.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ms. Shirley MacLaine who is being honored with the 40th American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award on June 7, 2012. Born on April 24, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia, MacLaine grew up the daughter of Ira Owens and Kathlyn Corinne Beaty. She attended Washington-Lee High School and during the summer prior to her senior year had her first role on Broadway as a member of the chorus in a revival of Oklahoma. MacLaine had been trained in ballet before turning to acting. She returned to the stage and New York City following her high school graduation and became an understudy to Carol Haney in The Pajama Game, a role which she eventually took over. It was this role that launched MacLaine's career onto the Silver Screen. MacLaine made her film debut in 1955's ``The Trouble with Harry,'' for which she won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year-- Actress. Throughout her almost 60 year career, MacLaine has appeared in more than 60 films, made numerous television and Broadway appearances, produced, directed, and has authored several books. A five-time Oscar nominee, MacLaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1983 for her role in Terms of Endearment. AFI's Life Achievement Award is America's highest honor for a career in film. However, in addition to honoring MacLaine's illustrious film career, the American Film Institute is also celebrating her work in television, on Broadway, as an author and as a philanthropist. Meryl Streep, who was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2004, will be presenting MacLaine her award. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring one of the most accomplished and moving actresses of a generation and a close personal friend, Ms. Shirley MacLaine on the occasion of receiving AFI's 40th Life Achievement Award.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of St. Martin of Tours School, a distinguished primary Catholic school located in Maple Heights, Ohio that is closing after 49 years of serving the community. St. Martin of Tours was founded in 1963 under the leadership of Pastor John J. Gerrity. The school originally had just three grades. One grade was added each year until each grade, from kindergarten through eighth, was represented. The first principal was Sister Mary Electa Coleman, a member of the Humility of Mary Sisters. Students at St. Martin of Tours participate in many activities that are educationally, spiritually, and socially enriching. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders maintain pen-pal relationships with residents of a local senior care facility. The Liturgy Team collaborates with the West Side Catholic Center. Twice a month students in grades 4 8 travel to the Center to volunteer their service. Since 1989, students have participated in the DARE program, a program that teaches children how to avoid drugs and violence. The school also has a Peace Pole in their Memory Garden, around which students and faculty gather each Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and for special prayer services to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. In 1997, the school won the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award from the United States Department of Education. Despite the outstanding education students at St. Martin of Tours have received for almost fifty years, this year will be the school's last. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring St. Martin of Tours, a school that has provided education of the highest quality for decades. It will certainly be missed by the community it served.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Tom and Beverly Jelepis, the former Mayor of Bay Village, Ohio and his wife. Tom Jelepis was the Mayor of Bay Village from 1994 to 2000. In August of 2010, Tom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After ten months of treatment, Tom is now cancer-free. However, the experience left his wife, Beverly, overwhelmed with the responsibilities of maintaining a home, a family, and also their real estate business. Friends and Bay Village residents were eager to help the former mayor and his family by providing them with food, lawn care services, and other day-to-day needs for which they no longer had time. The couple realized how difficult a cancer diagnosis must be for people without such support, and was deeply thankful for the generosity of their friends and neighbors during their difficult time. Tom and Beverly have decided to establish an organization called Friends From the Start that will provide the same basic services for other cancer patients. The organization's website will include links to businesses that are willing to offer their services for free or a reduced cost to people with cancer. Friends From the Start will be run by volunteers and will also have volunteers present to personally assist the patients. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Tom and Beverly Jelepis, a couple familiar with the hardships of cancer who are dedicated to maintaining the quality of life for their neighbors should they battle this terrible disease.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 34th Annual Meeting of Hospice of the Western Reserve on May 24, 2012. Since 1978, Hospice of the Western Reserve, a community-based, mission-driven not-for-profit organization, has provided comfort care and emotional support to patients and their families at the end-of- life. Its mission is ``to provide palliative end-of-life care, caregiver support and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio.'' Hospice of the Western Reserve is committed to providing ideal patient care, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. It celebrates the individual worth of each life, and strives to relieve suffering, enhance comfort, promote quality of life, foster choice in end-of-life care, and support effective grieving. Hospice of the Western Reserve affirms the dignity of life, and advocates for patient and family comfort and quality during life's final phase. The board, staff and volunteers believe that hospice patients have the right to continue life to the fullest extent possible according to their circumstances. They foster opportunities for continued growth and fulfillment. Hospice of the Western Reserve's specialized services (including AIDS, pediatric, peri-natal, and chronic disease-specific teams) provide care and support to patients, families and caregivers wherever they call home, whether it be in their home, at an assisted living facility, in a hospital, nursing facility or group home, in a county jail or at a homeless shelter. Hospice of the Western Reserve is not part of a chain or franchise and is not owned by anyone but the community. Its services are not administered by hospitals, insurance companies or health systems. Through exemplary partnerships with the Northern Ohio's premier healthcare systems, Hospice of the Western Reserve incorporates state- of-the-art care and best practices for its patients and their families. Hospice of the Western Reserve's involvement with multiple community agencies, advisory councils and academic institutions keeps its staff and volunteers abreast of emerging trends and allows them to take a leadership role in addressing the ever-changing needs of our community. Hospice of the Western Reserve has received numerous awards from community, professional and non-profit organizations. In 2010, Hospice of the Western Reserve provided care to 6,779 patients and families across Northern Ohio, including care to 1,757 patients and families at its world-class 42-bed in-patient facility, David Simpson Hospice House overlooking Lake Erie. Hospice of the Western Reserve is the longest-serving hospice and the largest non- profit hospice in the State of Ohio. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Hospice of the Western Reserve at its 34th Annual Meeting as it celebrates its long-standing service to the people of Northern Ohio and looks forward to many more years of quality care to its patients and their families.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize H.E. Minister Fady Abboud, Minister of Tourism for the Republic of Lebanon and to welcome him to the City of Cleveland. Born on March 21, 1955, Minister Abboud graduated from the International School of Choueifat. In 1976, following a year of service in the military, he began studying at the University of Westminster. Minister Aboud and his wife of 26 years, Sarah-Lilianna, have two children, Faddy and Joanne. Fady Abboud had a successful career in industry, working in the packaging, plastic engineering, general machines and metal processing, and food businesses. In 1982, he was named Chairman of General Packaging Industries. In 2002, he was elected as President of the Board of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists. Minister Abboud is also a member of the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and the International Chamber of Commerce. Abboud was appointed as the Minister of Tourism in November 2009. Since his appointment, Minister Abboud has turned the office's focus to sustainable tourism in order to promote the different regions of Lebanon. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in welcoming H.E. Minister Fady Abboud to the City of Cleveland.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the good work and achievements of Sean Nelson, who is leaving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Cleveland. Sean is leaving the VA after nearly a decade of service to the Veterans of Northeast Ohio. Sean Nelson is a 2001 graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, with a degree in Biology and a 2003 graduate of the University of Memphis with a Master of Health Administration. Mr. Nelson began his career at the VA Boston Healthcare System in 2003 as an Administrative Fellow. He transferred to the Cleveland VAMC in 2004. He held numerous line and staff positions of increasing responsibility in Cleveland, including Chief of Quality and Information Management starting in 2005 and Chief of External Affairs and Facility Planning beginning in 2007. He later served as Assistant Director and Acting Associate Medical Center Director before his appointment as the Deputy Medical Center Director of the Cleveland VAMC in January 2011. Sean is a graduate of the 2011 Executive Career Field Program and graduate of the 2008 Cleveland Bridge Builders flagship program. He is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. During his tenure, Sean has been part of the leadership team at the Cleveland VAMC that has overseen tremendous expansion with the opening of the Parma outpatient facility and the growth of the Wade Park facility as it was consolidated with the now-defunct Brecksville hospital. My staff and I have come to depend on Sean's eagerness to serve our nation's veterans and his ability to solve problems. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in wishing Sean Nelson much success as he takes his tremendous skills and dedication to service to the next steps in his career.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the dedication of the Croatian Cultural Garden, taking place on June 3, 2012. The 254 acre piece of land that constitutes Rockefeller Park was donated to the City of Cleveland by John D. Rockefeller in 1896. The Cleveland Croatian Cultural Garden is a two acre piece of land within Rockefeller Park. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens were founded in 1926 to create a memorial area for the diverse ethnic groups that shape the region, and to serve as a space for reflection on peace, cooperation and understanding. The Cultural Gardens are currently a collection of 26 gardens which include African-American, American Indian, British, Chinese, Czech, Estonian, and Slovenian gardens, among others. The mission of the Croatian Cultural Garden is to dedicate a garden that celebrates the rich cultural achievements and contributions of the Croatian people and to endow an educational legacy for future generations. Groundbreaking on the Garden took place on April 30, 2011 with the support of the Garden's benefactor, Ed Lozick. The dedication of Phase I of the Croatian Cultural Garden will begin with a Holy Mass at St. Paul Croatian Church. Phase I includes the installation of ``The Immigrant Mother'' statue which represents Croatian mothers who emigrated to the U.S. The bronze statue was sculpted by Clevelander and Croatian-American, Joseph Turkaly. The granite base of the statue is inscribed with three Croatian symbols; the Croatian Homland Shield (Grb), the original Croatian alphabet (Glagolijica) and the pleter design. The Gardens will also have a heart shaped flower garden representing the ``Licitar Heart'' as well as three benches carved from stone from the island of Brac. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the dedication of the Croatian Cultural Garden.