[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E180-E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SERVANT MERIT 
                             AWARD WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute eight outstanding 
individuals who will be honored later this month at a special ceremony. 
On February 20, 1998, the Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation and the 
Cuyahoga County Bar Association will host the 51st Public Servants 
Merit Awards Luncheon. At the luncheon, the honorees will receive the 
Franklin A. Polk Public Servants Merit Award. The individuals to be 
honored are: John A. Baird; Janet R. Dean; Angelo Lupo; Kathleen A. 
Moloney; Mary Ann Murray; Charles E. Sprague; James L. Toth; and Thomas 
F. Washington. The Public Servants Merit Award is named in honor of a 
distinguished lawyer, the late Franklin A. Polk. During his career, 
Attorney Polk was committed to recognizing the contributions of public 
servants. He also chaired the annual awards luncheon for 40 years.
  I take great pride in saluting the 1998 Public Servants Merit Awards 
recipients. Each of the individuals is more than deserving of this 
level of recognition. At this time, I want to share with my colleagues 
and the nation some information regarding the honorees.***HD***John A. 
Baird
  John Baird was born in Cleveland and graduated from Benedectine High 
School and Fenn College/Cleveland State University. He has enjoyed a 
distinguished career with the Cleveland Municipal Court which spans 21 
years. He currently serves as Chief Deputy Clerk where he is 
responsible for the processing and servicing of garnishments, as well 
as assisting attorneys and the public by providing information on post-
judgment actions.
  Mr. Baird has been an active participant in the Boy Scouts of America 
for over 50 years as a Scout Unit Leader, Commissioner, and Merit Badge 
Counselor. He is an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel, devoting 
his time to the youth ministry, religious education, and the Holy Name 
Society, just to name a few. He and his wife, Sandy, are the proud 
parents of three children: Michael, Edward and Jennifer.***HD***Janet 
R. Dean
  Janet R. Dean was born in Cleveland and presently resides in North 
Ridgeville. She joined the staff of the Cleveland Court of Common Pleas 
in 1977 as a judges secretary. She is currently judicial secretary for 
Judge James D. Sweeney, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals. Mrs. 
Dean is a graduate of West Tech High School. She is also an active 
member at Bosworth Presbyterian Church where she sang in the adult 
choir for 37 years.
  Mrs. Dean suffered the loss of her husband, Casper, just prior to 
their 43rd wedding anniversary. He would have been proud to witness the 
upcoming awards ceremony honoring Mrs. Dean, an outstanding court 
employee. In her spare time, Mrs. Dean enjoys music and working on her 
many photo albums. She is the mother of five children; Mark, Randy, 
Paul, Brad and Suzanne.***HD***Angelo R. Lupo
  Mr. Speaker, when the Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation and the Cuyahoga 
County Bar Association hold the Public Servants Awards Luncheon, Mr. 
Angelo R. Lupo will be among the honorees. Mr. Lupo is a resident of 
Rocky River, Ohio. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from 
Southern Illinois University. Prior to coming to Cleveland, he was 
employed with the Puerto Rican Economic Development Corporation as a 
VISTA volunteer.
  In 1975, Mr. Lupo joined the Court of Common Pleas. Currently, he 
serves as Bailiff to John Burt Griffin whose his duties include 
assisting with the management of civil and criminal documents. Mr. Lupo 
is single and enjoys listening to music in his spare 
time.***HD***Kathleen Ann Moloney
  Born in Cleveland, Ms. Moloney presently resides in Westlake, Ohio. 
She attended St.

[[Page E181]]

Williams Elementary School, and Lake Catholic High School in Mentor. 
Prior to taking her position at Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations 
Court, she worked part-time at the Giovanni's Pizza Shop. Nominated by 
Judge Timothy Flanagan, Ms. Moloney has been employed in the court 
system since 1978. Currently, she serves as Payroll Officer at Domestic 
Relations Court where she processes payroll and benefits for 
approximately 105 employees. Ms. Moloney lists playing golf and 
spending time with her nieces and nephews as her favorite 
hobbies.***HD***Mary Ann Murray

  Mary Murray is employed by the Cuyahoga County Probate Court as 
Supervisor and Deputy Clerk. She has been employed by the court system 
since 1967. Her responsibilities include ensuring that journal entries 
are properly typed, numbered and microfilmed. She was nominated by 
Judge John J. Donnelly.
  Mrs. Murray attended St. Casimir Notre Dame Academy and graduated 
from St. Francis High School. She and her husband, James Edward, are 
the parents of James Murray, Jr., and the proud grandparents of Jimmy, 
Angelina and Al. Mrs. Murray's hobbies include line dancing, horseback 
riding, bowling and roller skating. She also loves the outdoors and 
plans to live on a farm someday.***HD***Charles E. Sprague
  Charles Sprague was born in Bellow Falls, Vermont. He attended 
Brattleboro Union High School and graduated from Allegheny College in 
Meadville, Pennsylvania. He also attended Cleveland Marshall College of 
Law, being admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1982.
  During his long and distinguished career in the court system, Mr. 
Sprague has held a number of positions. The positions include process 
server, probation officer, intake officer and bailiff. Currently he 
serves as Magistrate, where he is responsible for the Traffic 
Department at Juvenile Court. He also works as an Intake Referee at the 
Court's detention center.
  One of Mr. Sprague's most outstanding accomplishments was securing 
funding to start Second Helping, a county-wide food collection program 
which is now known as Northcoast Food Rescue. He also initiated a food 
program within the court, ``Food for Fines,'' which allows juveniles to 
pay their offenses by donating food to area hunger centers. Mr. Sprague 
and his wife, Rosanna, are the proud parents of Sarah. His hobbies 
include serving as a Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach at 
Regina High School.***HD***James Leonard Toth
  James Toth is a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Ohio. For the past 20 
years, Mr. Toth has held the position of Costs Clerk in the Criminal 
Division, Office of the Clerk of Courts. In addition to his cost 
accounting duties, he provides assistance with regard to criminal bonds 
and filing of pleadings. Prior to his current position, Mr. Toth was a 
member of the Armed Forces, where he received the Good Conduct Medal 
before being honorably discharged. His employment also includes Arter & 
Hadden as a docket clerk, and was an employee of the Clerk of Courts in 
the foreclosure department.
  Mr. Toth and his wife, Theresa are the parents of three children; 
Joann, Anthony and Michael. He is active in several organizations 
including S.S. Peter and Paul Church, the Garfield Heights Little 
League, the American Legion, and the Benedictine High School Mom & Dads 
Club. He also enjoys model trains and baseball.***HD***Thomas F. 
Washington
  Born in Cleveland, Thomas Washington graduated from Benedictine High 
School and Ohio University. Mr. Washington is employed in the Probation 
Department where he supervises six officers and is responsible for the 
oversight and guidance of their duties. Prior to his employment with 
the Municipal Court, Mr. Washington served as a Probation Officer in 
the Juvenile Court. He has also had experience as a high school English 
teacher.
  Mr. Washington and his wife, Lugenia, reside in Cleveland, Ohio. He 
is the step-father of Robert. He is a former Assistant Basketball 
Coach. He also participated in Catholic Big Brothers for a number of 
years. In his spare time, Mr. Washington, enjoys fishing and pocket 
billiards.
  Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud to recognize the 1998 Public 
Servants Merit Award honorees. I join the members of the Cuyahoga 
County Bar Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Bar Association in 
congratulating each of the honorees for their commitment and 
dedication. It is both recognized and appreciated.

                          ____________________