[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 81 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1173]]



                       IN HONOR OF RALPH J. PERK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                          HON. JOHN A. BOEHNER

                                of ohio

                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                           HON. STEVE CHABOT

                                of ohio

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                          HON. JOHN R. KASICH

                                of ohio

                        HON. STEVE C. LaTOURETTE

                                of ohio

                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                           HON. DEBORAH PRYCE

                                of ohio

                           HON. RALPH REGULA

                                of ohio

                         HON. THOMAS C. SAWYER

                                of ohio

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                          HON. TED STRICKLAND

                                of ohio

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I along with my colleagues from Ohio, 
Messrs. Boehner, Brown, Chabot, Gillmor, Hall, Hobson, Ms. Kaptur, 
Messrs. Kasich, LaTourette, Ney, Oxley, Portman, Ms. Pryce, Messrs. 
Regula, Sawyer, Stokes, Strickland, and Traficant rise to salute an 
extraordinary public servant, Ralph J. Perk. He has devoted his life to 
helping others and is beloved by the people of Cleveland, the people of 
Ohio, and people throughout the world.
  Born under the shadow of the steel mill smokestacks of Cleveland, 
Ralph Perk was raised in poverty. At age 7, he began his day delivering 
the morning paper and ended it delivering the evening paper. At age 
twelve he began selling ice door to door. During the Depression of the 
40s when he was still selling ice, Perk routinely extended credit to 
poor families. ``If we don't give them ice, their children's milk will 
spoil,'' Perk would say. So, instead of making one-hundred dollars a 
week, he made twelve. That generosity and heart, paid rich dividends 
when Perk entered politics. Every election, the families he helped 
during the depression became the nucleus of Perk's campaigns. Their 
loyalty could not have been bought at any price. From those humble 
beginnings, Ralph Perk rose to serve five terms on the Cleveland City 
Council and nine years as county auditor.
  In 1971 Ralph Perk was elected the 51st Mayor of Cleveland. He was 
not bound by party label. Rather, he achieved his popularity by 
following public service rather than party politics. His motto was 
simple: Do hard work, keep in touch with the people, and serve 
honestly. He did all three.
  As Mayor, he deeply cared for those whom he represented. He secured 
hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government to improve 
the city. And despite high inflation and a recession, Mayor Perk 
delivered quality basic city services to the neighborhoods of 
Cleveland.
  Although he achieved high office in his city, Ralph Perk never forgot 
his humble beginnings and continued to help others. He understood 
people and their needs; but more important, he truly cared. He helped 
organize the diverse ethnic community and imbued it with a common pride 
in Cleveland. He was the founder of the Nationality Movement in 
Cleveland; and a driving force behind the recognition of the rights and 
cultural heritage of ethnic American in the United States. He served on 
numerous civic and fraternal organizations including, The Citizens 
League, The Council on Human Relations and The Knights of Columbus.
  My fellow colleagues, Ralph Perk does not seek our praise. He is far 
above it. Rather, I ask you to join me in recognizing him for his many 
contributions. For if we learn from his dedication, we will all be 
better public servants.

                          ____________________