[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E657-E658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF LEONARD M. CALABRESE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Leonard M. 
Calabrese, who through his service to the Catholic Church of Cleveland 
has dedicated his life to serving as a community organizer on behalf of 
the poor, the vulnerable and the voiceless.
  For over 20 years, Mr. Calabrese has served as executive director of 
the Commission on Catholic Community Action (CCCA), the Social Action 
Office for Catholic Charities Services, for the Diocese of Cleveland. 
Prior to his appointment as executive director, Len served as a 
volunteer board member for nine years. Founded in 1969, the CCCA works 
to protect and promote human dignity through empowering the poor and 
the often voiceless minority groups by promoting and ensuring their 
full participation in society. Through his leadership at the 
Commission, he is able to work with many other local organizations to 
educate, mobilize and raise the consciousness of the community, 
especially among Catholics.
  Len Calabrese has a multifaceted background and a very impressive 
record in serving our community. He was an associate professor for 
several higher learning institutions such as John Carroll University, 
University of Akron, Northwestern University and St. Mary Seminary. He 
was also a consultant for several mayors and the Ohio Senate, and board 
member for several institutions such as Cuyahoga County Public Library, 
Immigrant Minority Business Alliance, The City Club of Cleveland and 
the greater Cleveland Round Table of Civic Leaders, Greater Cleveland 
Inter-Religious Task Force on Central America just to name a few.
  I have had the opportunity and privilege to work closely with Len 
Calabrese in a number of capacities. In the aftermath of the tragedy of 
September 11, 2001, Len worked with the community at large to allay 
fears expressed against immigrants. He has helped many newcomers from 
abroad with his welcoming touch and his help with the necessary 
networking to succeed in business. He represented the CCCA in the 
Sustainable Communities Symposium and other collaborations with the 
inner city and suburbs of Cleveland.
  Len's talent to mobilize the community and to advocate for the social 
welfare of others is manifested through his new position as president 
of Caritas Connection, a nonprofit organization that works to connect 
Catholic charities, health care, nursing homes and colleges. He will 
also serve as director of Ministering Together, a national umbrella of 
Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Care, the Association of 
Catholic Colleges and Universities, National Catholic Education 
Association and various organizations of the laity.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of 
Leonard M. Calabrese, who has dedicated his life to serving his church 
and the greater Cleveland community.

[[Page E658]]

 Let his advocacy on behalf of the welfare of others serve as 
inspiration for all those in pursuit of social change.

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