[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF BARNEY KILIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 9, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Barney Kilian, affectionately known as the ``Mayor of Old Brooklyn,'' 
and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, community 
activist, expert gardener and friend to countless people in Cleveland's 
Old Brooklyn neighborhood and far beyond.
  Mr. Kilian lived life with great joy and energy and was always 
willing to offer assistance to anyone in need. His unwavering focus on 
the welfare of the Old Brooklyn neighborhood extended beyond the lines 
of ward borders. His life-long interest in local politics never 
subsided; Mr. Kilian was an active member of the Democratic Party and 
was elected to serve as Precinct Committeeman in Ward 15.
  In the Spring of 1980, at the age of 72, Mr. Kilian led a volunteer 
effort to clean up and restore the historic Benjamin Franklin Community 
Gardens. Neglected for decades, the Gardens had become overgrown with 
weeds, rocks and refuse. Though a daunting task, Mr. Kilian welcomed 
the challenge of renewing the site, which is the largest community 
garden in Cuyahoga County. Armed with a generous heart and quick wit, 
Mr. Kilian, with support from the Old Brooklyn Community Development 
Corporation, led neighborhood volunteers in transforming the seven-acre 
site into 220 plots of thriving, flourishing gardens. He restored the 
teaching garden utilized by adjacent Benjamin Franklin Elementary 
School and set aside several plots where produce was specifically grown 
to help feed Cleveland's hungry. For 21 consecutive growing seasons, 
Mr. Kilian kept a watchful eye on the Gardens. Making several trips a 
week, he loaded up his old car and delivered the produce to area hunger 
centers, including the Brookside Center, St. Herman's, St. Mary's and 
St. Augustine's.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor, remembrance and 
gratitude to Mr. Barney Kilian, whose life was framed by kindness, 
humor and devotion to his community. I offer my condolences to his 
daughters, June, Diane and Donald; to the memory of his late wife, 
Janet and late son, Raymond; to his son-in-law, Charles; to his 
grandchildren, Charlene, Christine, Cheryl, Lisa and Raymond Jr.; to 
his four great-grandchildren; and to his many friends. Although Barney 
Kilian will be deeply missed, his love for the people of Old Brooklyn 
and their love for him will rise every Spring with the first sign of 
radiant color rising from Benjamin Franklin Gardens along Spring Road, 
and far beyond.

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