[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1821-E1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN F. SEIBERLING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I wish to honor the life and legacy of 
Congressman Seiberling, an eight-term Congressman from Akron, Ohio. 
John Seiberling won Ohio's 14th Congressional District in 1970. He ran 
for Congress because of his strong opposition to the Vietnam War and a 
belief that the system could be made to work in favor of a more livable 
world, a peaceful world. His desire for peace was his primary reason 
for running.
  In a speech at the University of Akron on May 6, 1970, just two days 
after the tragic shootings at Kent State University John Seiberling 
said that ``the system can be made to work . . . 25 years ago I never 
thought that a peace candidate would win a congressional

[[Page E1822]]

election in this district, even a primary election, in which the 
principal issue is the cause of peace.'' He went on to speak about the 
importance of Gandhi's accomplishments in India; how Gandhi used non-
cooperation to bring his cause to the attention of the world and non-
violence to win the hearts of his enemies.
  During his time in Congress he had many major accomplishments. Among 
them was the creation of Ohio's first national park, the Cuyahoga 
Valley National Park and his coauthorship of the War Powers Act. He was 
elected to and served as Chairman of the Members of Congress for Peace 
Through Law Caucus. It is reported that he opened his office to Vietnam 
veterans protesting against the war by allowing them to sleep there.
  He was committed to a world that resolved conflict through peaceful 
means. And as such, throughout his 16 years in the House he prioritized 
disarmament. When he announced his retirement in 1986 he reportedly 
told the Plain Dealer newspaper that it was the job of Congress to 
``maintain a livable world, free of nuclear disaster, a world that we 
have not polluted to the point where we can't breathe and where we 
preserve some natural beauty so that we can have the solace and the 
experience of being out in God's world.'' Following his retirement he 
dedicated himself to teaching law at the University of Akron and for a 
number of years was the head of the university's Center for Peace 
Studies.
  Since his passing on August 2, 2008 he has been sorely missed and 
will be missed well into the future.

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