110 HRES 669 IH: Recognizing and honoring the lifetime U.S. House of Representatives 2007-09-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 669 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 20, 2007 Mr. Klein of Florida (for himself, Mr. Regula, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Stark, and Mrs. Jones of Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration RESOLUTION Recognizing and honoring the lifetime accomplishments of former Congressman Charles Vanik.

Whereas a native of Cleveland and a grandson of Czechoslovakian immigrants, Charles Vanik completed his undergraduate studies and a law degree at Western Reserve University; Whereas in the 1930s, his first job as a lawyer was working to settle Jewish refugees from Nazi Europe; Whereas Charles enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, seeing action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres; Whereas in 1954, Charles Vanik was elected to the United States House of Representatives where he represented Cleveland until 1981; Whereas in 1968 he vacated his safe Congressional seat so that Louis Stokes could become the first black congressman elected from Ohio; Whereas Charles eventually became chairman of the House Subcommittee on Trade of the House Committee on Ways and Means; Whereas Charles authored legislation to create satellite offices for Social Security, thereby allowing seniors everywhere to access Social Security services; Whereas Charles authored an amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 with Senator Henry Jackson, a measure intended to tie the former Soviet Union's trade status to freely allow Jewish emigration; Whereas after the amendment was signed into law, the Soviet Union was forced to consider loosening the restrictions resulting in a great increase in emigration; and Whereas Charles Vanik died in Jupiter, Florida, on August 29, 2007: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives honors the lifetime accomplishments and legacy of Charles Vanik for his numerous contributions to human rights and democracy, and expresses deep condolences to the Vanik family on their loss.