[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E452-E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF SISTER LEONA NIEBERDING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of one of 
the most influential teachers of my life, Sister Leona Nieberding.
  Sister Leona entered the Congregation of St. Joseph from St. Ignatius 
parish when she was 18 years old. Two years later, she was given her 
first teaching assignment at St. Joseph school in Canton, Ohio. This 
began a life of total dedication to the ministry of the education of 
young people. Over her 77 years as an educator, she taught at five 
different schools in the Cleveland area: St. Joseph, St. Vincent de 
Paul, St. Aloysius, St. Ignatius, and St. Angela Merici. She also 
served as principal at St. Aloysius and St. Vincent de Paul.
  Sister Leona worked hard to prepare young people for life, guiding 
them spiritually as well as intellectually. She demonstrated to her 
students the practical applications of spiritual guidance and ethical 
conduct in everyday life. Sister Leona was known for her devotion to 
young people and her insistence that they understand the importance of 
education and live up to her high expectations of them. In 1979, the 
Kiwanis Club of Fairview Park recognized her outstanding efforts by 
honoring her as the ``Teacher of the Year.''
  Sister Leona, however, never sought credit for her deeds. She often 
organized the resources of her parish to ensure that the needy families 
were provided with food and clothes, without taking any credit for the 
work. These selfless personal efforts did not go unnoticed. Her service 
is in the finest tradition of nuns of

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the Congregation of Saint Joseph, who dedicate their lives to serving 
God and their fellow parishioners.
  Throughout her 96 years, Sister Leona touched the hearts and souls of 
many. We have suffered a great loss in her passing, but those of us who 
were lucky enough to have known her are better people for having shared 
in her special gifts. Sister Leona will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________