[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 12, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S14800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO VICKY MROCZEK

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a 
remarkable woman--a woman who devoted herself to improving the lives of 
those often overlooked in our society--the elderly and the poor. The 
State of Ohio lost one of its most dynamic and compassionate public 
servants with the passing of Vicky Mroczek on September 28, 2003.
  Vicky Mroczek dedicated over 20 years of her career to public service 
in Ohio, most recently serving as the Chief of the Office of Community 
Services in the Ohio Department of Development. Since 1985, she 
administered Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program, a federally funded 
program that helps low-income households manage their energy bills. 
Earlier in her career, she worked for the Ohio Consumer's counsel, 
representing Ohio's residential customers in utility matters. She also 
served on the Board of the Central Ohio Transit Authority.
  Vicky was also a prominent figure at the national level, working on 
creative and innovative approaches to helping low-income households 
afford essential energy services. She served as Chair of the National 
Low-Income Energy Consortium from 1993 until her death. She also served 
as Chair of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association from 
1990 through 1992.
  Vicky Mroczek was an engaging and dynamic public speaker, someone who 
could engage audiences from the cities to the farms, in local settings 
to national forums, reaching utility clients, utility executives, and 
everyone in between. She led with grace, fairness, and most of all, 
compassion. Her service and dedication to the citizens of Ohio and to 
low-income families across our Nation is a model to us all. She will be 
missed.
  Vicky's husband of 24 years, George Diehl; her mother Phyllis 
Mroczek; and her sister, Michelle Mroczek, remain in our thoughts and 
prayers.




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