[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF MAYOR THOMAS P. PERCIAK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
Honorable Thomas P. Perciak, the Mayor of the City of Strongsville, 
Ohio. A profoundly respected and influential member of Cleveland's 
Polish community and a leader of greater Cleveland's civic culture, 
Mayor Perciak is the recipient of the Forty-Fifth annual ``Good Joe'' 
Polish Heritage Award.
  Mayor Perciak, a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area, carries 
with him a rich history of public service and advocacy for northeast 
Ohio, especially in the Polish community. A graduate of the David M. 
Myers University, he has served and continues to serve in many 
leadership roles. Prior to becoming Mayor of Strongsville, he held 
various senior positions within Fifth Third Bank, including Executive 
Vice President of the Northeastern Ohio region. In addition, Mayor 
Perciak leads the charitable gift and fundraising arm of Southwest 
General Hospital as Chairman of the Southwest General Community Health 
Foundation, a position he has held since 1996.
  From his time as a student at St. Andrews Abbey--founded Benedictine 
High School--located in Cleveland--to his volunteer service on their 
Board of Trustees, Mayor Perciak has represented the Benedictine Order 
of Cleveland with pride and distinction. His religious faith also 
compels him to dedicate his time and talent toward serving on the Board 
of Financial Advisors for the Diocese of Cleveland, as well as on the 
Finance Committee of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
  Mayor Perciak has been the recipient of many honors and awards, 
including induction into the Benedictine High School Hall of Honors and 
Companions on the Journey Awards of outstanding service and generosity. 
In addition, in the summer of 2007, the Southwest General Residential 
Hospice was renamed the Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing Mayor 
Thomas Perciak for his outstanding and tireless efforts as a supporter 
and advocate for Polish causes, as well as for his extensive and 
diverse service to many individuals and families who call the Cleveland 
area home.

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