[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF RICHARD L. DECHANT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Richard L. Dechant, Sr., devoted family man, community activist, 
business leader, World War II veteran, and friend and mentor to many.
  Mr. DeChant grew up in Avon, Ohio. His father was a steelworker and 
his mother ran the family farm business. He learned early on the 
significance of family, hard work and community. By the time he was 
eight years old, Mr. DeChant's mother gave him a job selling home-grown 
produce door-to-door. He attended St. Ignatius High School and later 
earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of 
Detroit. He married Marie in 1943 and together they raised five sons. 
They remained committed to each other until her death in 2004.
  For his entire adult life, Mr. DeChant worked as a tireless promoter 
on behalf of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. While working with the 
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company in the 1940's, DeChant began a 
life-long vocation of promoting the Cleveland community. As executive 
director of the Greater Cleveland Growth Board, now known as the 
Greater Cleveland Growth Association, for nearly twenty-five years, 
DeChant's focused service and advocacy on behalf of his beloved 
community drew millions of dollars of new industry into our region. He 
also participated in numerous trade missions throughout Europe and 
Asia. Although deeply committed to his work, his family was always 
foremost and central in his life.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance 
of Richard L. DeChant. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his sons, 
Thomas (Paul), James (Lyn), Richard Jr. (Sharon), David (Terri) and the 
memory of Doug (Bonnie); his grandchildren, Richard III, Brett, Jimmy, 
Dawn, Nicole, Matt and Carli; his brothers, Robert and Donald; and his 
extended family and many friends. Although Mr. DeChant will be greatly 
missed, the joyous legacy of his life, framed by kindness, energy and 
an unwavering focus on family and on making a difference, will forever 
resound within the hearts and memories of his family and friends, and 
within the spirit of our entire community.

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