[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLES VANIK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored today to join in the 
tributes to the life and career of former Ohio Congressman Charles 
Vanik, who passed away in August at age 94.
  Born in Cleveland in 1913, Charles Vanik recognized the call to 
service long before his 26-year House career began. After earning his 
law degree, he was elected to the Cleveland City Council and the Ohio 
State Senate--all before the age of 30. His career in elective office 
was interrupted by World War II, where he served in both the Atlantic 
and Pacific theatres as a member of the Naval Reserve. Following the 
war, he held a judgeship in Cleveland prior to his election to Congress 
in 1954.
  As my colleagues have noted in prior Floor tributes to Congressman 
Vanik, his congressional legacy was defined by his many contributions 
to human rights around the world--especially through what came to be 
known as the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. This measure, which passed with 
broad bipartisan support, requires the United States to gauge the human 
rights records of foreign nations when assessing potential trade deals. 
As a result of Jackson-Vanik, the Soviet Union was compelled to allow 
more than two million people of faith to escape the religious 
persecution they faced under this cruel regime. The Amendment made 
Charles Vanik a target of scorn from the Soviet-controlled media--
something he wore as a badge of honor.
  Throughout his career, Congressman Vanik well served the people of 
his district and fought for freedom around the world. I offer his 
family and loved ones my condolences at their loss.

                          ____________________