[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF DEAN GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Dean Griffin, 
president of the Cleveland chapter of the American Federation of 
Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). He was a consummate professional 
as a broadcaster and a strong proponent of achieving fairness in union 
representation.
  Mr. Griffin was born in East St. Louis, IL and received a bachelor's 
degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He 
held various radio jobs around the country before he moved to Cleveland 
and reported the news for WJKW radio and television in the 1960's and 
1970's. He was known as an excellent political reporter and covered 
events such as national political conventions and the space program.
  After 11 years at WJKW Mr. Griffin lost his job when the network was 
sold. I had the pleasure of working with Dean when he served as a 
liaison between the Cleveland City Council and the mayor's office. At 
this same time he held positions as secretary of the Fire Department, 
where he was known to fight for the local labor union on important 
issues, and as chief of the Burke Lakefront Airport.
  In the 1980's, Mr. Griffin returned to radio and television, working 
for WAKR in Akron. While his daughter, Dawn, marched in the Brunswick 
High School Band Mr. Griffin announced the pregame, halftime, and 
competitive shows, continuing to announce the events even after she 
graduated.
  Mr. Griffin spent his life illustrating how to be an outstanding 
journalist and broadcaster. As long-time president of AFTRA he always 
worked diligently to better union representation and the lives of 
workers. He will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________