[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF VERA GILLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a woman from my 
home State of Ohio who in many ways exemplifies the qualities of our 
greatest citizens. On March 11, Vera Gillis will celebrate her 70th 
birthday. Throughout her life, Vera Gillis has served as an example of 
how hard work can touch the lives of others.
  To say Vera Gillis is still going strong would be an understatement. 
This year, Vera will run her church's rummage sale and tutor numerous 
students from overseas. Vera Gillis also exemplifies compassion as she 
brings the Eucharist to those who aren't able to attend Mass every 
week. This year, she will welcome home her children who will come from 
as far away as Maine, Massachusetts, California, Florida, Washington, 
D.C. and Belgium to celebrate her birthday.
  Throughout her life, Vera has consistently worked to make day-to-day 
life more meaningful and enriching by bringing people together with her 
overwhelming enthusiasm and wonderful sense of humor. She has served as 
the unofficial neighborhood ambassador since the early 1960s when her 
growing family moved to Westlake. Vera made sure everyone knew each 
other, even if it was just getting together at her house for an annual 
Christmas party. Now a grandmother of six, Vera has always made her 
home a special place for children. Not only did she teach Spanish 
gratis to the students at Holy Trinity Elementary School, she also 
taught the neighborhood kids how to swim, go Christmas caroling and 
even put on musical shows.
  She has been a steadfast and dear companion to her ever-growing 
circle of close friends. As an active member of Holy Trinity Church and 
its affiliated school in Avon, Ohio, Vera has contributed much more 
than even the 20 years of playground duty would indicate. Despite the 
many changes and the enormous growth in Westlake and Avon as suburbs, 
one of the constants has been the sense of community that results when 
people like Vera live there. Always quick to share a smile or kind 
words, Vera Gillis has helped to bring her community together.
  One of Vera Gillis' most notable achievements has been her dedication 
to teaching English as a Second Language and American Citizenship 
classes. Her never-ending patience and enjoyment in bringing people 
from such diverse countries as Denmark, Poland, and Japan together is 
truly remarkable. Rather than just instructing people in the English 
language or American history, she shows people how to be neighbors, 
friends, and citizens. I would like to thank Vera for her commitment 
and service to the people of the State of Ohio. My fellow colleagues, 
please join me in wishing Vera Gillis a very happy 70th birthday.

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