[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF FORMER CLEVELAND MAYOR RALPH S. LOCHER

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 2004

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, we rise today in honor and remembrance of 
former Cleveland Mayor Ralph S. Locher--Devoted family man, 
accomplished attorney, Ohio Supreme Court justice, community leader, 
and admired friend and mentor. Mr. Locher's term as Mayor of the City 
of Cleveland during a turbulent period of Cleveland's history, 
solidified his reputation as a man of honesty, integrity and heart.
  Mayor Locher was born in Romania to American parents. His family left 
Europe to return to America, settling in western Ohio. Mayor Locher 
graduated from Bluffton College in 1936 and graduated from Western 
University School of Law three years later. He practiced law in 
Cleveland with Davis & Young until 1945, when he left for Columbus to 
accept the position of secretary of the Industrial Commission of Ohio.
  His political career began in 1953, when Mayor Locher was appointed 
by Cleveland Mayor Anthony Celebrezze as the city law director. Mayor 
Locher did not seek elected office--it sought him. In 1962, Mayor 
Celebrezze resigned his post to accept an appointment by President John 
F. Kennedy, which immediately plunged Mr. Locher into the role as Mayor 
of Cleveland. Mayor Locher significantly trounced his opponent at the 
special election, and ran unopposed for a full term the next year.
  Following his departure from office, Mayor Locher went on to be 
elected as probate judge in 1972. In 1976, Mayor Locher was elected as 
an Ohio Supreme Court justice, where he served until retiring from the 
bench in 1988. Mayor Locher served the bench with honor, integrity and 
concern, and garnered the admiration and respect of everyone associated 
with the court.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join us in honor, gratitude and 
remembrance of Mayor Ralph S. Locher--An outstanding citizen, devoted 
husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, and an exceptional 
man and caring leader whose life positively impacted the lives of 
countless. We extend our deepest condolences to Mayor Locher's beloved 
wife, Eleanor, his daughter, Virginia Wells, and his grandson, and 
great-granddaughter. His passing marks a deep loss for so many of us 
who called him friend. Mayor Locher's flawless legacy of exceptional 
leadership, judicial integrity and sincere concern for others will be 
remembered always by the people of Cleveland--and far beyond. Moreover, 
his kindness, grace, and quiet dignity will always serve as example of 
a successful leader and more importantly--an exceptional human being.

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