[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO JOHN M. COYNE: ``AMERICA'S LONGEST-SERVING MAYOR''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 22, 1997

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I am especially pleased to pay tribute to an 
individual who has earned a very special place in the history of public 
service. In just a few weeks, John M. Coyne, the Mayor of Brooklyn, OH, 
will be honored for having served 50 years in this post. I join 
residents of the City of Brooklyn, the 11th Congressional District of 
Ohio, his colleagues, friends, and many others in recognizing Mayor 
Coyne on this auspicious occasion.
  President Bill Clinton affectionately describes John Coyne as ``this 
nation's longest-serving mayor.'' Indeed, Mayor Coyne holds the record 
for consecutive terms of service. In his 50 years of leading the City 
of Brooklyn, he has displayed a level of dedication and commitment that 
is unmatched.
  Mr. Speaker, when John Coyne took office as mayor in 1948, Brooklyn 
was still a small village. Today, we celebrate a city that is a shining 
model for communities across America. Under Mayor Coyne's leadership, 
the City of Brooklyn led the country in promoting the first mandatory 
seatbelt law. He also administered ordinances to ban assault-type 
weapons, and started a mandatory curbside recycling program. With John 
Coyne at the helm, the City of Brooklyn has benefitted from millions of 
dollars in funding to support important transportation, recycling, 
recreation, and economic development initiatives.
  Beyond his mayoral assignment, John Coyne also served five 
consecutive terms as Chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the 
13th largest county in the country. In this post, he pursued a course 
of action to make the Democratic Party inclusive of all races, creeds, 
colors, and religions. Under his chairmanship, more minorities were 
appointed or elected to public office in Cuyahoga County than under any 
other chairman in our history. He always stated to me, ``Congressman, I 
don't see color, I see people.''
  I am proud of my personal association with Mayor Coyne. He has shared 
a very long friendship with me, my later brother, mayor and Ambassador 
Carl B. Stokes, and my daughter, Judge Angela R. Stokes. Additionally, 
I am grateful to him for the support he has given me each year enabling 
me to provide an annual Christmas party for poor and disadvantaged 
families in my congressional district.
  Mr. Speaker, as he is honored for 50 consecutive years of public 
service, I join many others who are congratulating Mayor Coyne. I am 
also pleased to note that proceeds from the upcoming gala will benefit 
the John M. Coyne Endowed Public Service Scholarship at the Cleveland 
State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. I 
extend my warn congratulations to Mayor Coyne, his devoted wife, Jean, 
and members of the Coyne family. We wish the Nation's ``longest-serving 
mayor'' many, many more years at the helm.

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