[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E871-E872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ROBERT D. FITZER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert D. 
Fitzer, a longtime clarinetist, music educator, and community activist 
in the Mahoning Valley.
  Robert Fitzer was born in Youngstown, Ohio to former YSU Dana School 
of Music faculty members James Fitzer and Dolores Severino. By the time 
he was in 8th grade he was a member of the Youngstown Symphony Youth 
Orchestra. He studied clarinet at Northwestern University, where he was 
a member of their

[[Page E872]]

Symphony Orchestra and their Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Robert studied at 
the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria and in the 
International Festival Institute in Round Top, Texas. He has also 
received coaching in chamber music by Grammy-award winning cellist Yo-
Yo Ma.
  As a musician, Bob Fitzer has performed at Carnegie Hall, recorded 
Grammy Award winning music, and collaborated with the Pittsburgh 
Symphony Orchestra. He has performed on motion picture soundtracks, 
Broadway shows on tour, and with rock bands such as Yes and Styx. He 
has performed with the United States Navy Band and the Blossom Festival 
Concert Band. Bob also served as soloist in 2004 with the Youngstown 
State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
  Bob Fitzer has been a faculty member at YSU's Dana School of Music 
for 11 years. He teaches a studio of 24 clarinet majors and has formed 
clarinet choirs, trios and quartets. He has also served on the 
faculties of Trinity University in San Antonio and Allegheny College in 
Meadville, Pennsylvania. In addition, he also conducts classes at his 
private clarinet studio in Youngstown.
  Bob Fitzer has also been involved in the community life of Youngstown 
and Mahoning Valley. He has served as president of the Citizens League 
of Greater Youngstown and as a volunteer counselor at the Help Hotline 
Crisis Center. From 1995 to 2001 Bob Fitzer was co-host of WYSU's 
Commentary Cafe radio show. During that time I was granted the honor of 
being one of his guests.
  Bob Fitzer spent a lifetime contributing to the art that this world 
so desperately needs. Currently, Bob Fitzer needs the comfort of that 
art and the friendship of his friends as he fights cancer. Bob, we wish 
you well and we pray for you and we hope you find the comfort and 
friendship that you have so freely provided for others throughout your 
life.

                          ____________________