[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E565-E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF A GREAT POLKA BAND LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 21, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Joe 
Toriskie, a Garfield Heights

[[Page E566]]

resident who played his special brand of Cleveland-style polka music to 
countless fans of his band, ``The Casuals.''
  Born in Cleveland, Mr. Toriskie started his first band while a 
student at South High School. He spread the joyous message of polka for 
the rest of his life. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Toriskie led his 
band, the Casuals, to the peaks of the polka music profession. He was 
nominated as Musician of the Year by the Cleveland Style Polka Hall of 
Fame last year. The Casuals were also nominated as Band of the Year in 
1995 and 1996.
  Mr. Toriskie had a distinctive style. He liked to mingle with his 
audience during breaks. He exuded the good, happy, honest life. His 
friends knew him as a genuine person and a truly nice man.
  He is survived by his wife, Dolores, daughters, Christine Mackerty 
and Nancy Adams; and grandchildren, Michael and Katie Mackerty.
  He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________