[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ROBERT (BUTCH) BEMMES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 1997

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge to many 
outstanding contributions of a good friend and constituent, Robert 
(Butch) Bemmes, who is retiring as a member of the city council of 
Reading, OH, on July 15, 1997.
  A lifelong resident of Reading, Butch Bemmes has spent years giving 
back to his community. He is a carpenter by trade and owned the Butch 
Bemmes and Sons Construction Co. He volunteered for years with the 
Valley Youth Organization, coaching Little League baseball. For 30 
years, he volunteered by carrying down markers at Reading High School 
football games. This year, he personally collected donations to 
purchase a wheelchair lift for Veterans Stadium in Reading to allow the 
disabled to enjoy the Friday night football action. He also served as 
president of the Reading athletic boosters during the 1970's.
  Butch has also been active in public service. He served two teams on 
the Reading city council, where he served as chairman of the recreation 
committee; chairman of the zoning, planning and environment committee; 
and a member of the laws and contracts committee. He also served as 
Reading's city representative to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional 
Council of Governments, city representative for the Mill Creek 
Watershed committee and liaison for council and the school board 
committee.
  Even with all these accomplishments, his first love has always been 
his family. Butch and his wife, Paula, raised nine children to whom 
they are devoted. And their family now includes 26 grandchildren and 3 
great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout his life, Butch Bemmes has worked to make his 
city and his country a better place to live. I salute his many 
contributions and wish him well.

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