[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1230-E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF MARY STRASSMEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mary Strassmeyer as she 
retires from journalism after 39 years of reporting on the social scene 
in Cleveland, OH.
  After studying history and English at Notre Dame College Mary went on 
to do graduate work in history at the University of Toledo. In 1983, 
she graduated from Cleveland Marshall College of Law and passed the bar 
the same year. Mary held a variety of jobs after graduation, but began 
her career in journalism in earnest when she quit a Federal job, took a 
pay cut and joined the editorial staff at the Cleveland News where she 
stayed for 4 years covering women's news, education and the PTA.
  She was hired by the Plain Dealer in 1960 to serve as women's 
features writer and later became beauty editor and assistant travel 
editor. In 1965, Mary was named society editor, where she really 
started to shake things up. She could make or break an event, or even 
someone's career, simply by what she wrote in her column. She has 
covered everything from fashion and food to movies and, even though she 
will not divulge them, knows all the secrets behind the secrets on the 
business and social scene in Cleveland.
  After 4 years as society editor, Mary organized a group of reporters 
called the Society of American Social Scribes [SASS]. The group's 
members later elected her president. In the same year, she was listed 
in Status Magazine as one of the best big-city society editors in the 
Nation.
  In her retirement, Mary plans to devote more time to putting her law 
degree to use, working at Gerry's International Travel Agency, in which 
she is a shareholder, and of course, more writing. Mr. Speaker, let us 
recognize the achievements of Mary Strassmeyer, just as her colleagues 
and friends will on June 23, 1997. Her weekly witty writings will be 
missed at the Plain Dealer.

[[Page E1231]]



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