[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              POSTHUMOUS TRIBUTE TO MR. STEVEN J. CRANMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 1998

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to one of Miami-Dade's indefatigable leaders, Mr. Steven J. 
Cranman. His untimely demise last Wednesday, June 3, 1998 leaves a deep 
void in our community.
  Mr. Cranman was attending the Annual Conference of the American 
Economic Development Council in Nashville, Tennessee when he was felled 
by a massive stroke. He was barely 42 years old.
  A rare South Florida native, Steven was born in Miami Beach. He 
virtually consecrated his life to public service, and represented the 
best and the noblest of our community's leadership. He was one selfless 
hero who dedicated everything he got to the residents of South Dade, 
who were rendered homeless and almost hopeless by the 1992 devastation 
of Hurricane Andrew, the deadliest disaster ever to wreck havoc on any 
community in the United States. Known as a man of limitless passion for 
the well-being of his fellowmen, he was the leader par excellence who 
went out of his way to create a convergence of community leaders and 
common folks alike to focus in on the socio-economic recovery of 
countless families through the infusion of employment opportunities.
  The Perrine-Cutler Ridge community deeply feels the loss of a truly 
decent and caring man who made it his personal business to reach out to 
the needs of his neighbors. His relentless efforts in helping South 
Dade rise from Hurricane Andrew's ashes through economic development 
and job creation garnered him a prestigious award from the 
International Association of Personnel in Employment Security. He was 
also recognized as the 1997 Florida Economic Development Council's 
District 9 Professional of the Year for his dogged determination in 
recruiting companies, which subsequently led to the creation of new 
employment opportunities for the people of South Dade.
  The numerous accolades with which various organizations and agencies 
have honored him through the years symbolize the unequivocal testimony 
of the utmost respect and admiration he enjoyed from a grateful 
community. He truly epitomized the resilience and compassion of a 
community leader whose life served as an example of how much difference 
each of us can make in behalf of our community's well-being.
  This is the legacy Steven Cranman bequeathed to us. I am greatly 
privileged indeed to have known him as my good friend.

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