[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PASSING OF REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES VANIK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Ms. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
remarkable man, a 26-year veteran of this distinguished body and an 
outstanding American.
  The Honorable Charles Albert Vanik worked tirelessly to promote the 
civil rights of all people. His dedication to this cause extended 
further than the boundaries of our country and touched countless lives. 
The Congressman felt it necessary that every individual throughout the 
globe should fully enjoy the natural rights of mankind.
  This commitment was most evident in his decision in 1968 to shift to 
the 22nd Congressional District following redistricting to allow a then 
up and coming African American politician by the name of Louis Stokes 
to run for and ultimately win the 21st Congressional District seat.
  Charles Vanik was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He represented my city 
and my extended community in a distinguished fashion. Serving as a 
councilman, a judge and a member of the state legislature before 
joining the United States Congress, he developed a reputation as a 
caring individual.
  Congressman Vanik was wholeheartedly a representative of the people. 
As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, he felt that both 
individuals and enterprises alike should equally contribute to society. 
The respect that his friends and fellow Members of Congress held for 
him, presented several opportunities for his policy objectives to be 
adopted in statutes relating to both taxes and trade.
  Most importantly, this son of immigrants personified all that is 
great about our Nation and our people. He cared for his neighbors, he 
was passionate about freedom and he wanted to help those in need.
  I had many opportunities to personally speak with Representative 
Vanik. The most memorable of these meetings was when the National 
Institutes of Health dedicated their new laboratory facility in honor 
of my predecessor Congressman Louis Stokes.
  It is with great respect and admiration that I ask this esteemed body 
to keep his wife, Betty, and children, John and Phyllis, in our hearts 
and prayers. May we all rejoice in having known such a great man and 
cherish both our memories and his legacy.

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