[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF ELAINE MARIE FORTNEY

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Elaine Marie Fortney, a woman who lived life with grace and a sense of 
service to community.
  Ms. Fortney was a longtime leader in the Cuyahoga County Democratic 
Party and a staunch political activist, working on numerous local and 
national campaigns. Raised in East Cleveland, Ms. Fortney lived most of 
her life in Cleveland Heights, where she became president of the 
Cleveland Heights Democratic Club. Her energy spawned from a deep 
belief that the political process was a vehicle for change. She was 
regularly called upon by candidates seeking her expertise, including 
U.S. Senate candidate Mary Boyle, for whom she served as Ohio field 
director.
  Although she lost her ability to walk in her early thirties, she 
never let a wheelchair slow her down. Ms. Fortney was a dedicated 
public servant, serving as executive assistant to former Cuyahoga 
County Commissioner Mary Boyle and as the district director for former 
United States Congressman Dennis Eckart. She led the Cuyahoga County 
Democrats as the Executive Director from 1982 to 1985. In 2009, Ms. 
Fortney retired from service after twelve years of managing worker's 
compensation claims for Cuyahoga County.
  Madam Speaker and Colleagues please join me in honor and remembrance 
of Elaine Marie Fortney, whose great joy for life, energetic spirit and 
commitment to community inspired all of us who had the honor of knowing 
her. I offer my deep condolences to her sisters, Linda and Jane; to her 
brothers-in-law, Robert and Matthew; her nieces, Tricia and Elizabeth; 
her nephews, Shawn and Zachary; and her extended family members and 
many friends.

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