[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLMSTED 
                     UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the Olmsted Unitarian Universalist Church of North Olmsted, Ohio, as 
they celebrate 175 years of spirituality rooted in diversity and a deep 
sense of community.
  The First Universalist Church of Olmsted was founded in 1834. The 
founding members included early leaders of North Olmsted such as the 
Coes, Kennedys, Roots, Stearnses and Fitches. In 1847, church members 
built the first building at the corner of Lorain and Butternut Ridge 
Roads.
  Cast in 1851, the large bell in the belfry continues today to act as 
a symbol of inclusion and emancipation. Before and during the Civil 
War, the bell tower was used as a station on the Underground Railroad 
to hide escaping slaves and their families. In 1963, this historic 
landmark structure was moved to its current site at Porter Road in 
North Olmsted. More than a thousand Unitarian Universalist churches 
exist throughout North America. They operate autonomously, with each 
congregation having the right to decide its own worship styles and 
ministers.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of the congregation and ministry of the Unitarian Universalist church 
of North Olmsted as they celebrate their 175th anniversary. May this 
church continue to act as a beacon of spiritual truth, tolerance, and 
diversity for the people of Greater Cleveland.

                          ____________________