[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE RICHARD C. BLAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 1999

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Richard C. Blake of 
Toledo, OH, a man of great stature and kindest heart, who passed from 
this life on June 4, 1999. I came to know Dick and his family through 
his passionate commitment to the credit union movement to which, as his 
family noted, he ``dedicated 52 years . . . as both his vocation and 
avocation.''
  Employed by the former Champion Spark Plug in Toledo, Dick was a 
member of the Champion Credit Union. He served in many of the credit 
union's leadership positions over 37 years, including membership on the 
board of directors, on the Credit and Supervisory Committees, board 
president, and treasurer/CEO. Not limiting his involvement in promoting 
credit unions to just the Champion Credit Union, Dick rose to the 
highest levels of the movement. He served as president of the Toledo 
Chapter of Credit Unions, chairman of the board and director emeritus 
of the Ohio Credit Union League, and director of the Credit Union 
National Association.
  Dick also focused his time on community involvement, and was a past 
master of Toledo-Fort Industry Lodge #144; past patron of Fort Industry 
Chapter #391; a member of the Scottish Rite; and a member of the Adams 
Township American Legion Post. He also was a member of the Loyal Order 
of Moose Lodge #1610 and served on the finance committee of his church, 
Zion United Methodist. A water enthusiast, Dick belonged to the Toledo 
Yacht Club, Oak Harbor Long Beach Association, and the Coral Cay 
Association in Florida.
  Dick's passing leaves a void in our community, but much more 
importantly within his loving family. Our heartfelt condolences to his 
wife of 57 years, Helen, and his children Becky, Kathy, and Bill, his 
eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dick has touched the 
lives of thousands of people and made our community and country a more 
humane nation. We all are grateful for the privilege of knowing him.

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