[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF HEDY SOMMERFELT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Hedy 
Sommerfelt, a prominent figure in the Cleveland Polish Community.
  Hedy was a lifelong Slavic Village resident. While in elementary 
school she began to go to Polish school on Saturdays. There she learned 
to speak, write, and read the Polish language. Throughout her life she 
was an advocate of Polish culture. In 1946 Hedy married John F. 
Sommerfelt. This prompted her to join the Union of Poles in America 
(UPA), a fraternal insurance organization founded more than 100 years 
ago. In 1978, Mrs. Sommerfelt began working for the UPA as the 
financial secretary. Following that, she worked under longtime UPA 
president Richard Jablonski as the executive vice president. When 
Jablonski died in 1995, Mrs. Sommerfelt assumed the presidency of the 
Union of Poles. She was the first woman president of the organization. 
She also volunteered for many Catholic and Polish causes and was the 
president of the Immaculate Heart Parent Teachers Unit (PTU) in the 
1960's.
  Those who worked with Hedy will forever remember the pens given to 
them which were topped with a tiny gold ``guardian angel.'' One of 
these pens, her trademark, was even given to President Clinton in 1996. 
She was a pillar of strength in the community. She had great energy 
which she used to help the Polish community in every way to further the 
cultural and spiritual growth of the community. Her influence was felt 
at every level of government. She was committed to the cause of Poland 
as well as the Polish Community in Greater Cleveland. She and her 
husband have been lifelong friends and I consider her passing a 
personal loss.
  Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in honoring the memory of this 
remarkable woman, Hedy Sommerfelt.




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