[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 148 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN J. SCHIFF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 1998

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on October 14, the Greater Cincinnati area 
lost one of its finest community and business leaders. John J. Schiff, 
the founder of Cincinnati Financial Corporation, passed away at the age 
of 82. A devoted family man, he was married to Mary Reid Schiff for 50 
years and had three children. His business achievements and 
philanthropic acts left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him, 
on the insurance industry, and on the entire Cincinnati community.
  Mr. Schiff epitomized the American dream and embodied the idea that 
with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. What began as a 
small business which employed only Mr. Schiff and an assistant, grew 
into a thriving company of 2,700 employees with yearly earnings of $300 
million.
  Mr. Schiff was born in Cincinnati in 1916 and graduated from Ohio 
State University in 1938. After returning home from valiantly serving 
his country in the Navy during World War II, he founded his own 
company, the John J. Schiff Agency. It was then that he began to 
visualize a better, stronger, company.
  With personal relationships, an unwavering work ethic, and intense 
loyalty serving as the foundation, he and his brother Robert, along 
with two other investors, formed the Cincinnati Insurance Company. The 
company focused on selecting the best agents to represent the company, 
and provided them with the highest level of service and support. He was 
dedicated to making life better for his associates, agents, community, 
policy holders, investors, and friends.
  Mr. Schiff's business savvy was second only to his unwavering 
philanthropic efforts to better his community. He was dedicated to 
civic, educational, and artistic endeavors. Many organizations 
benefited from his zeal, including: the Museum Association, Junior 
Chamber of Commerce, the Music Hall Association, the 1788 Club, 
Deaconess Hospital, the Salvation Army, and Shiloh Community Methodist 
Church, just to name a few. He was very active with his Alma Mater, 
Ohio State. He was recognized as a Great Cincinnatian by the Chamber of 
Commerce, Man of the Year by the Insurance Board, and was presented the 
Founders' Day award by Xavier University, where he was awarded an 
Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
  Mr. Schiff's success is proof positive to all of us that with hard 
work, dedication and a strong will to succeed we can attain almost any 
goal we strive for.

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