[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1442-E1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RALPH REGULA FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BETTY SUTTON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 2009

  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1687 . . . 
to commemorate the career and service of our friend and colleague, 
Congressman Ralph Regula, by designating the Federal Building and U.S. 
courthouse in Canton, Ohio, as the ``Ralph Regula Federal Building and 
United States Courthouse.''
  For 38 years, Congressman Ralph Regula was a dedicated public servant 
and champion for Ohio.
  While I served only one term with Congressman Regula, I worked with 
him long enough to recognize his strong and dedicated service to our 
country, as well as his great love for Ohio.
  Congressman Regula is the consummate public servant. His career of 
service began long before the 38 years that he dedicated to this House.
   After graduating from high school, he served in the Navy during 
World War II.
  Congressman Regula continued his public service as a member of the 
Ohio State Board of Education. He went on to serve in the Ohio House 
and the Ohio Senate. When he arrived

[[Page E1443]]

in Congress in 1973, Congressman Regula's greatest years of serving our 
country were still ahead of him.
  His leadership was apparent immediately. As a freshman member, 
alongside Congressman John Seiberling, he fought hard to have President 
Ford establish the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area.
  Congressman Regula continued his fight to help build and protect the 
Cuyahoga Valley over the next 34 years of his career.
  In 1974, Congressman Regula said ``. . . we could be the architects 
in preserving this heritage for future generations; it goes far beyond 
today in terms of the potential.''
  Today, that potential has been fully recognized.
  The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most heavily visited 
national parks in the country.
  It is one of the great treasures Congressman Regula has left us. And, 
I am privileged to be able to carry on his efforts to continue to 
preserve and expand the Park.
  I want to thank Senator Brown and Congressman Boccieri for leading 
the effort on this bill.
  No one is more deserving of this great honor than Congressman Regula. 
He left a great legacy for all of us to live up to.
  It is clear that the citizens of Canton and the 16th congressional 
district are eternally grateful for his endless contributions.
  I thank him for his service, and I am glad to be a part of this 
effort to recognize his importance by helping to pass this bill.

                          ____________________