[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF LUCILLE PERK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lucille 
Perk of Cleveland.
  Lucille Perk may always be best remembered as an avid bowler. She 
bowled with Vic's Floral team in the Southeast Ladies League for more 
than twenty years. When her husband, Ralph Perk, who was the mayor of 
Cleveland from 1972 through 1977, was invited to a White House dinner 
with president Nixon, she did not accompany him. Pressed for an 
explanation, the mayor explained that his wife could not attend because 
it was her bowling night. People across the country knew the story of 
the Ohio woman who preferred bowling to dinner at the White House.
  As dedicated as she was to her teammates at the bowling alley, she 
was even more dedicated to her community, her church and her family. 
The mother of seven, she was named Italian Mother of the Year by the 
Italian-American Civic Club in 1965. For more than thirty-five years 
while her husband was in politics, Lucille answered telephone calls 
from constituents.
  Lucille was a regular attendee of meetings of the Parent Teachers 
Union at Our Lady of Lourdes parochial school. She was a lifelong 
member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish. She was also a member of the 
Southeast Isabella Guild of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of 
St. John's women's auxiliary. She was a founder of two mission circles 
supporting priests in El Salvador and South Africa.
  Lucille Perk was a dedicated wife, mother, community volunteer, and 
bowler. She has become a part of the culture of Cleveland. My fellow 
colleagues, please join me in honoring the life of this remarkable 
woman.

                          ____________________