[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF ABBOT ROGER W. GRIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 4, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Abbot Roger W. 
Gries who has been named ``Catholic Man of the Year'' by the Greater 
Cleveland Knights of Columbus Luncheon Club.
  This is certainly a well-deserved title for Abbot Gries, a native 
Clevelander who has devoted most of his life to education, his faith 
and the Catholic Church. He professed his vows as a Benedictine monk 
more than 40 years ago and was ordained to the priesthood in 1963. 
Throughout his many years of dedicated service to Benedictine High 
School, Abbot Gries has held a number of different posts. He started 
out teaching mathematics, but his extraordinary skill as an educator 
was soon recognized as he was named Assistant Principal in 1965 and 
Principal in 1968.
  Abbot Gries continued his successful reign as Principal at 
Benedictine until 1977, when he was appointed Prior of St. Andrew 
Abbey, the second superior of the monastery. Because of his outstanding 
work as Prior, his fellow monks elected him the fourth abbot of St. 
Andrew Abbey on June 9, 1981, a position that he holds to this day. In 
addition to his commitment to St. Andrew Abbey, Abbot Gries is also 
President of Benedictine High School. At this time, he is overseeing 
the implementation of the Master Plan currently underway at the Abbey 
and high school in the Buckeye-Woodland community.
  Aside from his prominent role as an educator and abbot of St. Andrew 
Abbey, Abbot Gries also served at the Holy Family Parish in Parma, OH 
on weekends for 18 years and previously acted as the chaplain of the 
Maple Heights Knights of Columbus. He continues his active association 
with the Alhambra.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in honoring Abbot 
Roger W. Gries. This remarkable man reminds us all of the importance of 
faith, community, and volunteerism. We are truly lucky to have him in 
Cleveland.

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