[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO DONALD J. PEASE IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS DEDICATED 
      SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO'S 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 2002

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, a long time friend of mine and former 
Member of Congress, Edward F. Weber, requested that I submit the 
following statement in memory of his friend and colleague, Donald J. 
Pease.

       Mr. Speaker, the family, friends, and constituents of 
     Ohio's 13th Congressional District mourn the passing of our 
     former Member, Donald J. Pease. Don was elected to Congress 
     in 1976 and served until his retirement in 1992. Among other 
     assignments he was a member of the Ways and Means Committee 
     where he was instrumental in drafting certain significant 
     changes to the income tax law.
       It is probably very rare when two members of the same high 
     school class serve together in this House, as Don and I did 
     in the 97th Congress. It was my privilege to have been Don's 
     classmate at Jesup W. Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio from 
     which he and I graduated in 1949. Don was elected president 
     of the senior class, a position he forfeited in favor of 
     being the editor of the school paper, because school rules 
     prohibited the holding of two major offices. I know that Don 
     received many honors; among those was his election in 1981 as 
     a charter member of the school's Hall of Fame. All of the 
     '49ers will miss him greatly.
       From high school Don went on to Ohio University and from 
     there pursued graduate studies on a Fulbright Scholarship. 
     When his formal studies were finished, Don established a 
     business career in journalism, as the editor and co-publisher 
     of the Oberlin News-Tribune. He combined this with service in 
     the Ohio Legislature for 10 years before his election to 
     Congress.
       Don's friendliness and his humor, his keen mind and ability 
     with words; and the integrity with which he approached each 
     given task were distinguishing characteristics wherever he 
     was and whatever he did.
       A heart condition caused Don not to seek reelection in 
     1992, and it was his heart that suddenly took his life on 
     Sunday, July 28, 2002 while at home in Oberlin. Regardless of 
     our political persuasion, Ohio, especially the 13th 
     Congressional District, is a better place because of 
     individuals like Don Pease.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life 
of a former colleague, Donald J. Pease. Our democratic institutions and 
the American people are better served through the diligence and 
determination of public servants, like Don, who have dedicated their 
lives to serving the needs of others. I am confident that Don's life 
will continue to serve as a model for future generations on how one 
individual can serve his community and positively influence others 
around him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don's family and friends 
during this difficult time. We wish them the very best.

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