[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO ELEANOR KAHLE

                                 ______


                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 1995
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of an extraordinary 
woman, Mrs. Eleanor Kahle of Toledo, who died at the age of 78 years 
young on August 13, 1995. Councilwoman and vice mayor emeritus, Eleanor 
Kahle, was a citizen-stateswoman, a mentor, a team player, and a friend 
to thousands. Her passing leaves a void in our community no one can 
adequately fill.
  Eleanor (Konieczka) Kahle, Polish-American by heritage, began her 
life on September 10, 1916, in what was then the small community of 
Sylvania outside of the city of Toledo. At the time of her death, she 
had become a citizen of the world. In fact, though over her lifetime 
she received recognitions too numerous to mention, the one she 
cherished most was her last, that of being named National Volunteer of 
the Year of Sister Cities International.
  It has been said that Eleanor Kahle had four careers in her life: 
that of wife and mother of six children, pastoral associate in the 
Catholic Church, executive director of the West Toledo Senior Center, 
and elected official in the city of Toledo. In all of these careers, 
Eleanor Kahle forged new ground. She took no responsibility more 
seriously than raising her six sons as a young widow, and delighted in 
their achievements as adults and in their children's.
  She was also a devoted woman of the church. There did not exist such 
a position as pastoral associate in the diocesan Catholic Church until 
Eleanor Kahle pursued its creation. In the 1970's as a pastoral 
associate, she was essentially the highest ranking woman in the 
Catholic Church, performing nearly all of the duties of the priesthood 
with the exception of the celebration of the Mass and the Sacraments.
  Doggedly pursuing the creation of a senior citizens center for 
several years in spite of tremendous opposition, she oversaw the birth 
of the thriving West Toledo Senior Center in 1979, directing its growth 
until her retirement in 1993. Today that center stands, 5,000 seniors 
strong, housed in a large, pleasant, refurbished building, as a true 
legacy to her.
  In 1983, I was honored by her service on my congressional staff in 
Washington as a special assistant on senior citizen issues, guiding and 
advising me as Congress debated changes in the Social Security system 
to assure its future solvency. She approached that opportunity with the 
zest, intelligence, and dedication that characterized her entire life.
  In 1987, at the age of 70, when most people would not dream of making 
such a major change in their life, Eleanor began her stellar political 
career as an elected official winning a seat on Toledo's city council. 
Four years later, in 1991, she finished first in the city council races 
among a field of eight, and was elected the city's vice mayor, one of 
only two women in Toledo history to rise to the post. Always planning 
and working toward unmet horizons she kept up the brisk pace of public 
life right until her unexpected illness, and never wavered from the 
idea that she might return to her duties. It was during her career as a 
councilwoman that Eleanor Kahle committed herself to the Sister Cities 
International ideals. She traveled abroad extensively as a goodwill 
ambassador for Toledo and our Nation, establishing new relationships 
with the cities of Szeged, Hungary, and Poznan, Poland. She hosted 
dozens of visitors in her home and was Toledo's most dedicated 
ambassador-at-large.
  In every endeavor, Eleanor Kahle conducted herself with grace, 
dignity, and eloquence. In her own mind, she never had to be the 
leader, ``just wanted to make sure the job got done.'' Yet in her 
persevering and joyful way, she led her community forward always, many 
times as a lone pioneer. Who can forget the twinkle in her eye or her 
cherubic grin. In the words of her children, while describing her and 
comparing her to the roses she so enjoyed, Eleanor Kahle was ``a true 
American beauty.''
  In special memory of Eleanor's life, in honor of her gifts and 
talents, and in recognition of her achievements and the special roles 
she fulfilled so exceptionally in our community, our Nation, and our 
world, the Eleanor Kahle Memorial Scholarship Fund will be established 
at Lourdes College, to be awarded to a nontraditional student who 
wishes to pursue those goals which Eleanor cherished and toward which 
she strove. This scholarship will stand as a legacy to Eleanor, her 
life, and her ideals. On behalf of all the citizens of our community 
whose lives have been improved by her vigilant work, let us publicly 
thank her as well as her family for their selfless devotion to others. 
We shall miss her always and be inspired by her life's work. She 
remains our true friend.


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