[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E375-E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SALUTING CUYAHOGA COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION PUBLIC SERVANTS MERIT AWARD 
                               RECIPIENTS

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 1996

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute eight individuals who 
are being honored as outstanding public servants. On March 22, 1996, 
the Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation and Cuyahoga County Bar Association 
will host the 50th Public Servants Merit Awards Luncheon. At that time, 
the eight honorees will be presented with the Franklin A. Polk Public 
Servants Merit Award. The individuals are: Valina M. Aicone; William D. 
Fromwiller; Sylvia E. Harrison; Patrick P. McGinty; Donald Peak; 
Francis A. Rutkowski; Rita M. Sobolewski; and J. Carol Wolf. The Public 
Servants Merit Award is named in honor of Franklin A. Polk, a 
distinguished lawyer who chaired the annual luncheon for 40 years. As 
the county bar foundation and the county bar association celebrate a 
historic 50th awards luncheon, Frank will be remembered for his 
commitment in recognizing the contributions of public servants.
  I take special pride in saluting the 1996 Public Servants Merit Award 
recipients. I want to share with my colleagues some information 
regarding these outstanding individuals. They are each more than 
deserving of special recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, Virginia M. Aicone is a resident of Brook Park, OH. She 
is a graduate of West High School and she has enjoyed a distinguished 
career with the court which spans 28 years. She began her career with 
the court in 1968 when she was employed as deputy clerk for the clerk 
of courts. She went on to serve as editor for the common pleas court.
  In her current position, Ms. Aicone is responsible for supervising 
and training employees in the data input journal entries division. She 
and her staff work closely with the clerk's office, sheriff's 
department, and others to guarantee that accurate information is 
reflected on the court journals.
  Ms. Aicone is the proud mother of three children; Michael, Anthony, 
and Madeline. Her hobbies include bowling, bingo, and coin collecting. 
In addition, she is active in her community as a member of the Ladies 
Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of Eagles, where she was named Mother of the 
year. In addition, she is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and 
Women of the Moose.
  Mr. Speaker, the next honoree, William D. Fromwiller, is a resident 
of Claridon, OH. He is a graduate of Richmond Height High School and 
attended Cleveland State University. Mr. Fromwiller began his court 
career in 1969, following an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. He 
currently serves as chief deputy for the county clerk of courts.
  In his position, Mr. Fromwiller, oversees the clerk's budget, 
including contracts and purchasing. He also responds to procedural 
questions which arise concerning court rules. Throughout his career, 
Mr. Fromwiller has exercised the highest level of concern and 
compassion for those he has encountered on the job. He prides himself 
on being an effective communicator and problem solver.
  Mr. Fromwiller is an avid fisherman, and he enjoys an annual visit to 
Canada for the sport. He also enjoys hunting and walking. He and his 
wife, Jean, are the proud parents of two children, Keith and Craig.
  Mr. Speaker, our third Public Servants Merit Award recipient has 
worked in the criminal division of the clerk of courts office for more 
than 29 years. Currently, Sylvia E. Harrison is employed as assistant 
supervisor for the clerk of court. In this position, she assists in the 
preparation of judges' personal docket for court, issues summons and 
warrants for defendants who fail to appear in court, and maintains and 
verifies computerized criminal history checks for the court.

  Ms. Harrison is a native of West Virginia and graduated from 
Excelsior High School. She and her husband, Willie C. Harrison, are the 
proud parents of Marcia, Felicia, April, and Willie, Jr. They are 
residents of Cleveland, OH.
  In her spare time, Ms. Harrison is active in the Cleveland community. 
Her memberships include the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, the 
NAACP, and the Democratic Club. In addition, she is a member of Faith 
Tabernacle where she serves as financial secretary. Her hobbies include 
camping, reading, cooking, and playing video games.
  Mr. Speaker, the fourth honoree, Patrick P. McGinty, is a resident of 
Lakewood, OH. He is a veteran of the Korean war, and notes with pride 
that he is one of eight members of his family to have served in the 
Armed Forces at various times. Mr. McGinty began his court career in 
1968. He currently serves as deputy filing clerk for the probate court. 
In his position, Mr. McGinty is responsible for filing and distributing 
probate cases to the public. He also makes certain that magistrates of 
the court have their daily hearings, and he assists the public in 
viewing microfilms. Mr. McGinty takes pride in his career in public 
service and his commitment to helping others.
  Sharing her life with Mr. McGinty is his wife of 29 years, Margaret. 
They are the proud parents of three children: Christopher, Kathleen, 
and James. In his spare time, Mr. McGinty has volunteered his time at 
the Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corp., where he delivered food to 
needy families. He also did volunteer work with St. Augustine's Church. 
In addition, he has coached youngsters in basketball and boxing. His 
hobbies also include gardening.
  The fifth recipient of the Public Servants Merit Award, Donald E. 
Peak, is a resident of Parma, OH. Mr. Peak began his career with the 
Cuyahoga County court system in 1965. He has been employed as a 
probation officer, case supervisor, and supervisor of placement and 
manager of residential services for the Cuyahoga County juvenile court.
  Currently, Mr. Peak holds the position of deputy director for the 
department of probation and community services. In this position, he 
takes responsibility for ensuring that children receive proper 
assessment and the highest level of support services and programs 
designed to curtail unlawful behavior on the part of youth.
  Mr. Peak is a veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. 
Army. He is an avid sports fan and also enjoys reading, walking, 
fishing, and coin collecting. In addition, Mr. Peak maintains a close 
association with and assists individuals who are mentally and 
physically disadvantaged. He advises that it has given him a greater 
appreciation of life's true priorities. Mr. Peak and his wife, Virginia 
Brown Peak, are the parents of three children: Jim, Joe, and Jack.

[[Page E376]]

  Mr. Speaker, the next individual selected to be recognized by the 
Cuyahoga County Bar Association is Francis A. Rutkowski. Mr. Rutkowski 
is supervisor for the Cleveland municipal court. In this post, he 
supervises eight probation officers who prepare pre-sentence reports 
for court judges.
  A resident of Westlake, OH, Mr. Rutkowski developed his keen sense 
of public service while watching his late father, Judge Anthony 
Rutkowski, tackle the challenges in the courtroom. Mr. Rutkowski's 
career has included service as a deputy sheriff and probation officer. 
He is also the past president of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of 
America and served as lecturer at Cleveland State University.

  Mr. Rutkowski is a graduate of John Carroll University and Alliance 
College. He received his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College 
of Law. His professional associations include the American Correctional 
Association, Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association, National 
Sheriff's Association, National Association of Chiefs of Police, and 
the American Bar Association, just to name a few. He and his wife, 
Patricia L. Buk, are the proud parents of four children; Christine, 
Joseph, Anne, and Michael.
  The next honoree, Ria Moredock Sobolewski, is a former free lance 
court reporter. For the past 19 years, she has served as the official 
court reporter for the domestic relations court. She is responsible for 
the creation of a verbatim record of all court proceedings.
  A graduate of West Virginia University and the Academy of Court 
Reporting, Ms. Sobolewski holds memberships in the National Court 
Reporters Association and the Ohio Court Reporters Association. She is 
also the recipient of numerous awards and certificates of merit for 
outstanding work.
  Ms. Sobolewski is the wife of John Sobolewski. The couple resides in 
North Olmsted, OH, and have enjoyed 20 years of marriage. They are the 
proud parents of Amy and Johnny.
  Mr. Speaker, the final recipient of the Franklin Polk Public Servant 
Merit Award, Jetta C. Wolf, has enjoyed a career as a legal and 
judicial secretary which has spanned 39 years. A graduate of Holston 
High School in Blountville, TN, she began her career with the court 
system in 1977.
  Currently, Ms. Wolf serves as judicial secretary for Judge John T. 
Patton. In her post, she is responsible for correspondence, 
stenographic, and file maintenance for the judge. In addition, Ms. Wolf 
is responsible for circulating and releasing opinions and entering the 
same records into the court data system.
  In her spare time, Ms. Wolf enjoys tailoring, doll making, and cake 
decorating. She also enjoys antiques and attending Cleveland Indian 
games. She and her husband, Richard, a retired Cleveland policeman, are 
the proud parents of Runa, Lettie, Brian, Tracy, and Angela. The Wolf 
family reside in North Ridgeville, OH, where they attend Shepherd of 
the Ridge Lutheran Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I take pride in saluting the eight individuals who have 
been selected to receive the Public Servants Merit Awards from the 
Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation and Bar Association. They have exhibited 
the highest level of commitment to public service and personal 
excellence. I also applaud these distinguished organizations for 
recognizing the importance of honoring employees who strive to make the 
court system work more effectively.

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