[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH GEMBUS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 1997

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph Gembus of 
Rossford, OH who has taken from this life on Thursday, April 10, 1997 
at the age of 85 years.
  A man of integrity, humility, and true grit, Joe was a glassworker 
who gave of his energies to his profession, his family, and his 
community. Always a staunch and dignified defender of working people, 
he served as his union local's financial secretary for 23 years, 
retiring in 1977. Upon his retirement and in recognition of his 
tireless efforts on their behalf, his brothers and sisters in the union 
named the United Glassworkers Local 9 hall the Joseph F. Gembus Hall. 
Throughout his tenure with the union, he also served on the Toledo AFL-
CIO Executive Board and as Vice-President of the State of Ohio AFL-CIO 
Executive Board. He served on the Wood County Democratic Executive 
Committee, MidAm Bank Advisory Board, and the City of Rossford Charter 
Commission.
  Fiercely loyal to our Nation, Joe served in the U.S. Army during 
World War II, fighting in the China-Burma-India Theater. After his 
service, he joined the Rossford American Legion Post #533 and the 
Northwood VFW, where he was a life member. Never one to let his years 
slow him down, Joe was also a member of the Lady of Fatima Council of 
the Knights of Columbus, the Wood County Committee on Aging, and the 
Glassworkers Local 9 Cullet Club.
  Joe now joins with his wife Mary, but leaves to this earth his 
sister, Angela Gembus, sisters-in-law Betty Torda and Kate Eckhart, and 
many nieces and nephews. They, and we, will miss him and cherish his 
memory and contributions in making our community a finer place in which 
to live.

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