[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF REV. DR. JOSEPH SKRHA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr.  KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Rev. Dr. Joseph Skrha, as family and friends gather to celebrate his 
80th birthday and his continued love and devotion to his North Broadway 
neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio.
  Dr. Skrha's joyous life is centered around family, faith and 
community. His closest confidant, his wife of nearly fifty-two years, 
Betts, along with their children--Joseph Ray, Betsy, John, the memory 
of their beloved son, Paul, his son-in-law Daniel, daughter-in-law 
Patricia and grandchildren, Katie, Christopher, Rebecca and Nathaniel--
are the guiding stars of his life, illuminating a path they walk 
together--a journey of hope, strength and healing that he continues to 
share with the residents of the North Broadway community.
  Dr. Skrha was born, raised and still lives on Broadway Avenue in 
Cleveland--in the heart of the neighborhood that he's served his entire 
life. He graduated with honors from both John Carroll University and 
Loyola University Medical School, completed his residency at St. Alexis 
Hospital then focused on establishing a family medical practice. Dr. 
Skrha could have practiced anywhere, but he turned down every offer to 
move away from the neighborhood that personifies the word `home.' As a 
caring physician and an ordained Roman Catholic Deacon, Dr. Skrha's 
dedicated service has softened the hard urban edges of the North 
Broadway neighborhood. Dr. and Mrs. Skrha's united focus on making a 
difference in their community has not wavered. They continue to channel 
their social activism into numerous civic endeavors, including their 
volunteer efforts on behalf of the University Settlement, The Broadway 
School of Music and the Arts, and the Cleveland Sight Center.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, gratitude and 
recognition of Rev. Dr. Joseph Skrha, as we join with his family and 
friends to celebrate his 80th birthday. Dr. Skrha's keen mind, 
compassionate heart and gentle energy continues to inspire, energize 
and strengthen the lives of the residents of North Broadway and far 
beyond--including my own. I wish Dr. Skrha an abundance of health, 
peace and happiness in his continued journey of faith and hope, today 
and for all time.

                          ____________________