[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 11, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF FATHER JOHN ZDINAK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 11, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man, Father 
John Zdinak, for his life of dedicated service to St. Theodosius 
Orthodox Cathedral of Cleveland on this very special day of 
reconsecration.
  Father John Zdinak has served Theodosius Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio 
in many capacities and has touched the lives of his congregation. 
Father Zdinak was assigned Rector of St. Theodosius in 1999, and has 
since then served the cathedral in many positions. Perhaps his most 
well-known act within the cathedral happened within his first year of 
installation. Father John completed a $400,000 Cemetery Expansion 
project that developed much of the parish cemetery.
  Father Zdinak's genuine vision for the Cathedral community was to 
establish a much greater presence in the Cleveland community, and more 
specifically the Tremont area. He worked to reclaim the former Rectory 
located behind the Cathedral and developed the Parish Ministries 
Center. His love, vision, and hope for the cathedral community has 
benefited the congregation in incredible ways.
  Although Father Zdinak worked extensively to expand the Cathedral 
community, he also spent quite some time improving the physical 
structure of the Cathedral. Over the years, soot and dust have 
accumulated on the exterior of the beautiful Cathedral, much due to the 
nearby steel and coal mills. Father Zdinak spent months cleaning the 
exterior with his fellow colleagues, friends, and countless members of 
the congregation. Inside the Cathedral, Father Zdinak removed and 
replaced copper roofing on domes, upgraded the electrical system, 
removed worn carpet, and much more.
  Father John Zdinak has brought countless improvements to St. 
Theodosius Cathedral, and for that we are grateful. His love and 
dedication to Christian belief is an inspiration to all.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and celebrating a man who 
has touched the lives of hundreds, Father John Zdinak, on this very 
special day.

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