[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          IN HONOR OF LEO WENE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory and works of a 
great public citizen, Leo Wene.
  Mr. Wene, a retired college physics professor, was actively engaged 
in his community's most pressing social and economic issues. He headed 
efforts to establish a municipal electric power distribution system for 
Chardon, OH, after seeing the value municipal power has provided 
Cleveland. He criticized foolhardy attempts at unsafely storing nuclear 
waste and upbraided proponents of the plan.
  Mr. Wene was an active participant in the political process and, 
through his example, showed to many the value of activism. He served as 
chairman of the Committee for Fair Utility Rates and of the Tri-County 
Environment and Consumer Advocate Council. He encouraged fellow 
citizens to become involved in the process and to let their 
representatives know where they stood.
  Mr. Wene was educated at Ohio State University and the University of 
Idaho, where he received his master's degree.
  During World War II, he served with the Army's 83d Infantry Division 
in Europe. He participated in four major campaigns and was wounded at 
the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Wene was awarded the Silver Star for 
gallantry.
  Mr. Wene is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cleo; daughter Jennifer 
of Westerville, OH; sons, Kenneth of Bethel, CT; Daryl of North 
Royalton, OH, and Peter of Waldorf, MD; as well as five grandchildren 
and four great-grandchildren.
  Ohio will miss him terribly.

                          ____________________