[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2318-E2319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO HON. M. BEN GAETH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 1998

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to pay very special tribute to an outstanding public servant from the 
state of Ohio. Following the One Hundred Twenty-Second Session of the 
Ohio General Assembly, the Honorable M. Ben Gaeth will retire as a 
member of the Ohio Senate from the First District.
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Gaeth has dedicated much of his life to serving 
the people of the First District and all of the state of Ohio. Ben 
Gaeth began his career in public service in 1962 as the Safety Director 
of the City of Defiance. After three short years, he turned his 
attention to politics as he became the Mayor of Defiance. For nearly 
ten years, Ben Gaeth guided government and politics in Defiance, while 
always concentrating on working for the people whom he represented.
  In 1975, M. Ben Gaeth was elected to his first term as a member of 
the Ohio State Senate from the First District. For more than twenty-
three years, Ben Gaeth has been an ardent supporter of his constituents 
in Northwest Ohio. During his time in the Senate, Ben has served as 
Chairman of the Senate Reference Committee, Chairman of the Senate 
Agriculture Committee, Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee, and was a 
member of numerous other committees.

[[Page E2319]]

  Mr. Speaker, I had the good fortune of working with Ben Gaeth in the 
Ohio Senate. From the days that Republicans were in the Minority to the 
time in which I served as President of the Senate, Ben Gaeth was seen 
as a hard working and outspoken advocate for his district. His diligent 
yet humble efforts made him a very well liked Senator by his colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle. I think I can speak for my colleagues in 
saying that it was certainly a pleasure to work with Ben Gaeth. His 
efforts will be sorely missed.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been said that America succeeds due to the 
selfless acts of her sons and daughters. Whether it was on the 
battlefields of World War II, where he won the Purple Heart, to his 
days as Mayor of Defiance, to his current position in the Ohio Senate, 
M. Ben Gaeth has dedicated his life to service to his community, state, 
and country. He is a leader and a true American patriot. I would urge 
my colleagues to stand and join me in paying special tribute to the 
Honorable M. Ben Gaeth, and in wishing him the very best in the future.

                          ____________________