[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN REMEMBRANCE OF CHARLES VANIK

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of one 
of our former colleagues, Congressman Charlie Vanik. For 26 years, he 
was an admirable spokesman not only for the people of his district, but 
for the Nation.
  During his time in office, Congressman Vanik was one of Congress's 
most vocal advocates for human rights. In 1974, he co-authored an 
amendment to a trade law that required the United States to assess the 
human rights records of foreign countries before granting them special 
privileges. This law put pressure on the Soviet Union to allow freer 
emigration, and as a result, more than 2 million people were able to 
leave the Soviet Union in search of a better life.
  While he was a Member of Congress, he never forgot where he came from 
or the people he represented. During his time in office he helped to 
pass several Federal programs, including the Federal school lunch 
program, that would help the people in his district and throughout the 
country improve their livelihoods. In addition, he is remembered by his 
former colleagues as a savvy, gifted speaker who had the ability to 
make every person in a room smile.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the life 
of Congressman Charlie Vanik. May he rest in peace, and may his service 
to his country and to this body always be remembered honorably. He is 
survived by his wife, Betty; his son, Jon; his daughter, Phyllis; and 
two grandchildren.




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