[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RETIREMENT OF MR. BRUCE AKERS

 Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to extend my 
congratulations to Mr. Bruce Akers on the occasion of his retirement as 
senior vice president for Civic Affairs at KeyBank in Cleveland, OH. 
Bruce's accomplishments are not limited to his 40 years of service in 
the banking industry, but extend to the difference he has made in the 
lives of countless citizens. His decades of leadership and generosity 
have helped make Cleveland the great city it is today.
  Bruce has served the public at many levels--in government, the 
private sector, and in civic organizations. From 1975 to 1977, he 
served as executive secretary to Cleveland Mayor Ralph Perk. Today 
Bruce continues to show his dedication to civic responsibility and 
action in local government through his service as mayor of Pepper Pike, 
OH.
  Bruce is also committed to a number of Cleveland's cultural, 
educational, charitable and civic institutions including service as 
chairman of the KeyFoundation, a trustee of the Cleveland Council on 
World Affairs and president of the Cleveland Opera. I don't believe I 
will ever forget Bruce's ``cameo'' appearance in the Cleveland Opera's 
rendition of Aida in 1984. He gave a tremendous performance that is 
still talked about to this day.
  Bruce's community commitment also extends to service as a trustee of 
the Citizens League Research institute, membership on the Executive, 
Central, and Policy Committee's of the Cuyahoga County Republican 
Party, membership on the Advisory Council of the Alzheimer's 
Association, membership on the Cleveland Leadership Prayer Breakfast 
Steering Committee, and chairman of Cleveland's Promise, the local 
branch of America's Promise which strives to create an environment for 
a better future.
  Bruce's belief in volunteerism was recently celebrated in ``Cleveland 
Live,'' a news and information ``on-line'' publication serving the 
Cleveland community, where he shared his philosophy on volunteering. 
Bruce stated, ``volunteering is a four-way win: a win for the 
organization benefitting from the volunteers' services; a win for the 
volunteers who gain new perspectives and feel self-fulfilled; a win for 
the employer because the employee-volunteer is a better-rounded 
employee; and a win for the community whose quality of life is 
improved, thanks to effective, dedicated volunteers.'' I could not 
agree more with Bruce's assessment.
  In 1975, Bruce's outreach to others earned him the Big Brother of the 
Year Award from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland. In 1993, 
he received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Leadership Cleveland 
for his dedication to making Cleveland a better place. Bruce has 
supported the Salvation Army in a variety of initiatives throughout the 
years, and for donating his time and energy, in 1997, he received the 
General William Booth Award, the Salvation Army's highest award to a 
civilian.
  Bruce's career is an inspiration to those who look to form a better 
future through active participation in the community. While I know 
Bruce Akers will enjoy his retirement with his wife Barbara, I also 
know that he will not cease giving of himself in service to his fellow 
man.
  On behalf of the citizens of Cleveland and of Ohio, I would like to 
congratulate Bruce Akers and thank him for all he has done for his 
community and his State.

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