[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM M. CAFARO

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 1998

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a William 
M. Cafaro, who passed away recently at the age of 84. This remarkable 
self-made man contributed greatly to his family, his community and this 
country. He will be deeply missed.
  William, a lifelong resident of Trumbull County, Ohio, emergency as a 
real estate developer and entrepreneur began in the 1940s with the 
purchase of property in Youngstown, Ohio. When he sold this property, 
he used the proceeds for other business investments. The 50's saw 
Cafaro develop, build and operate neighborhood shopping centers and 
strip plazas in northeastern Ohio. In the following decades, The Cafaro 
Co. developed more than 70 commercial properties and expanded into 
enclosed regional shopping malls in several states including 
Washington, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Cafaro 
helped change the way America shopped.
  Mr. Cafaro will be remembered by the people of the Mahoning Valley as 
a generous philanthropist and real estate developer. With a $1 million 
gift, Cafaro was one of the major donors in Youngstown State 
University's capital campaign. The honors dormitory on the YSU campus 
bears his name. Other organizations, including Mill Creek Children's 
Center and St. Anthony Church, have benefitted from his kindness. His 
business savvy also began early. The shopping mall he opened in Niles, 
Ohio in 1969 has grown into a retailing and entertainment complex that 
promises continued growth. Surrounding the mall now are stores and 
restaurants offering everything from movies to groceries to home 
improvement goods. Cafaro's last deed for his community was to commit 
to the construction of a stadium for minor league baseball play. The 
Cafaro Company will absorb the $7.5 million cost and donate the land 
for the project. Due to Mr. Cafaro's leadership, the groundbreaking for 
the stadium will begin in June 1998.
  Cafaro was often recognized for his generosity and philanthropic 
work. On a number of occasions he was named ``Man of the Year'', 
including by the Wolves Club National Convention. In 1970, the 
president of the Republic of Italy made him a Knight of the Order of 
the Star of Italian Solidarity or Italian Cavalier. Most recently he 
received a lifetime achievement award from the National Italian 
American Foundation of Washington, D.C.
  Simply by keeping the Cafaro Company headquarters in the Mahoning 
Valley, Mr. Cafaro showed the vision and pride he had for the area. He 
was a businessman whose handshake was his bond. A gentleman who honored 
his family and friends. He had an unparalleled sense of community which 
is evident nearly everywhere in the Valley.
  The citizens of the Mahoning Valley and I mourn with the Cafaro 
family upon the great loss of this giant among men, William M. Cafaro.

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