[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN REMEMBRANCE OF JOANNE McKENNA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of JoAnne 
McKenna, who dedicated her life to serving as a community organizer on 
behalf of peace and inter-cultural understanding.
  JoAnne McKenna was born and raised in Cleveland, where she would stay 
and dedicate her life to advocating for peace and inter-cultural 
understanding. Her family had deep roots in the city and owned the 
Hanna grocery stores in downtown Cleveland. She studied English 
Literature at Flora Stone Mather College and always had great interest 
in the Middle East. Mrs. McKenna, of Slovak and Lebanese heritage, 
served as a leader and social justice organizer in the Greater 
Cleveland community for decades. The region's history, politics and 
culture fascinated her, but the Arab-Israeli War and its aftermath 
propelled her to assert her Arab-American identity and emerge as a 
leader within the Arab-American community.
  Following the political unrest of the Arab-Israeli War, Mrs. McKenna 
began giving presentations at libraries, schools and churches around 
the Greater Cleveland Community in a quest to cultivate peace and 
inter-cultural dialogue. Through her work and continued dedication, she 
emerged as a leader in the Arab-American community and helped found 
numerous local and national organizations, focusing on Arab-American 
political activism and peace. She helped found the Greater Cleveland 
Association of Arab-Americans, where she served on the board for twelve 
years and six terms as President, the National Association of Arab-
Americans, the Ohio chapter of the Association of Arab-American 
University Graduates, and the Northeast Ohio Committee on Middle East 
Understanding.
  Mrs. McKenna wrote a book titled ``Great Women of the Middle East'' 
and traveled throughout the United States and the Arab region meeting 
with various community and state leaders. On two occasions, her 
activism took her to the White House, where she met with President Ford 
and President Carter.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering and 
honoring the life of JoAnne McKenna, for her outstanding leadership and 
advocacy for Arab-American causes, as well as for her extensive and 
diverse service to many individuals and communities who call the 
Cleveland area home.

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