[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF IRENE SILLIMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                          STEVE C. LaTOURETTE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, my colleague Mr. LaTourette, and I rise 
today to honor a woman who is truly dedicated to our nation's troops, 
Irene Silliman. Mrs. Silliman is a harbinger of goodwill and warmth to 
the United States Navy, providing them with slippers to keep them warm 
on the decks of their cold ships.
  A 72-year-old grandmother from Madison, OH, Irene Silliman started 
what has turned in to a national project by providing hand-knitted 
slipper socks to sailors on her grandson's vessel. After receiving a 
letter from her grandson requesting a pair of the socks, Silliman 
determined that she would make extra pairs for his shipmates. She 
organized a group of friends and began a phenomenon called ``Operation 
Toasty Toes'' that has engulfed the senior population of Northeast 
Ohio.
  After receiving several calls from interested volunteers, Silliman 
spearheaded an effort to make these Toasty Toes slipper socks for the 
entire crew of the U.S.S. Carney, the destroyer on which her grandson 
is stationed. National newspapers have picked up the story and a 
multitude of citizens nationwide are now feverishly working on new 
pairs of slippers to send to the troops.
  Irene Silliman is truly devoted to her country and the well-being of 
our servicemen and women. Her selfless effort to organize a crusade to 
provide warmth and comfort to our soldiers is truly a testament of her 
patriotic spirit. Mrs. Silliman wished to show our American troops that 
she and others cared about them and through their efforts, this has 
been accomplished.
  My fellow colleagues, join me in saluting a true patriot whose 
selfless devotion to our American troops is evident through her 
efforts, Irene Silliman.

                          ____________________