[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JOHN H. McCONNELL

 Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I wish to honor John H. 
McConnell. On April 25, Ohio lost a dear friend and true statesman. 
Very few people cared as much about Ohio as John did, and his legacy 
will live on through his tremendous contributions in the state.
  Though he found great professional success in his life, John never 
swayed from his deep-rooted commitment to honesty and integrity in 
every facet of his life. With just a single load of steel, John founded 
Worthington Industries in 1955 out of his basement home in Columbus, 
OH. Since then, Worthington Industries has reached 10 countries, with 
63 locations and 8,000 employees. With its main divisions in steel 
processing, metal framing and pressure cylinders, it generates 
approximately $3 billion of sales annually.
  Above all else, the Worthington philosophy has always been about 
practicing the Golden Rule. The commitment to good citizenship, civic 
involvement, and philanthropy is nowhere better represented within the 
Worthington organization than at the very top level--and that 
commitment lives on with John's legacy.
  Worthington Industries has also been recognized for its unfailing 
dedication to its employees and their families. In fact, it has been 
named one of the top 100 best places to work in America. John truly 
cared about his employees, and that attitude was reflected throughout 
the entire company.
  I worked closely with John when Worthington Industries opened a steel 
plant in Delta, OH. Honestly, I never worked with anyone more candid 
and fair than John. When he made a commitment, it was sure--you didn't 
need a contract with him. He championed public and private 
partnerships, and as former Governor of Ohio and now U.S. Senator, I 
found great comfort knowing John was at the head of one of the largest 
companies in Ohio.
  In 2000, Columbus got its first professional athletic team--the 
Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. John led the group of investors that 
brought the team to Columbus, where he served as the team's majority 
owner. He also established the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, which 
uses the resources of its professional athletes, coaches, and staff to 
improve the quality of life throughout central Ohio.
  John and his wife Peggy were also committed to advancing the care and 
prevention of heart disease, contributing $7.5 million to develop the 
McConnell Heart Hospital at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. The 
hospital still provides exceptional care to those in need and is the 
leading heart care provider in the Midwest.
  John's outstanding leadership has certainly not gone unnoticed. He 
has been honored with Financial World Magazine's Outstanding Chief 
Executive Officer of the Year Award, the Horatio Alger Award, the Ohio 
Governor's Award, the National Football Foundation Gold Medal, the 
Industry Week award for Excellence in Management, and with a place in 
the National Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.
  John was married to his wife Peggy for 59 years, and sadly, they were 
separated when she passed away in 2005. Perhaps the greatest comfort 
John's loved ones can take is in knowing that John has been reunited in 
heaven with his beloved wife. Their enduring love is a model for us 
all. John will be missed. His family, including his son, John P., 
daughter, Margaret, and five grandchildren, are in our prayers.

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