[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E99]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF DOLORES ``DEE'' BENSON

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 12, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
accomplishments of Dee Benson, whose fierce dedication to family, 
friends, faith and community serves as a model for all who have been 
blessed by her presence.
  Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Edward and Maggie Heintel, Dee 
demonstrated her strength and determination from an early age. When she 
was only a year old, Dee wandered on to a scorching floor grate that 
severely burned her feet; pneumonia set in during her bed rest. With 
the support of friends, family and many faiths, Dee recovered and went 
about dedicating her life to the forces that helped her preserve it.
  In 1945, fate introduced Dee to Private Bud Benson, and a year and a 
half courtship culminated in their 1947 marriage. Dee and Bud moved to 
Cleveland, Ohio to put down roots and start a family, giving birth to 
Robert, Patrick, Jacqueline, Mary, Elizabeth, Denise and Christine. Dee 
never wavered from her family, in fact she redoubled her efforts in the 
most trying times. During Bud's battle with health problems, she never 
left his side; when her granddaughter needed open-heart surgery, Dee 
kept vigil by her side.
  Dee's generosity of spirit extended to her friends and the larger 
community as well. Dee has never passed up an opportunity to help a 
friend or even a complete stranger. All the while, Dee has sustained 
herself with the abiding commitment to faith that delivered her from 
her early challenges. When her sons served in Vietnam, prayer supported 
her; when she herself battled health problems later in life, faith 
carried her through. She even helped found Saint Anthony of Padua 
Parish.
  Moreover, Dee has committed herself to civic engagement and community 
empowerment, embodying the ethic that ``all politics is local.'' Dee 
has served as precinct committeewoman and has held numerous leadership 
positions in Democratic institutions throughout Northeast Ohio.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Dee Benson, 
whose generosity, kindness and vitality have and will continue to 
inspire all who cross paths with her.

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