[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROGRAM

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Foreclosure Mediation Program.
  The Foreclosure Mediation Program was introduced in 2008 by Judge 
Eileen T. Gallagher. As the chair of the Court's Foreclosure Committee 
and Foreclosure Mediation Subcommittee, as well as a former magistrate 
in the Court's Foreclosure Department, she was in a unique position to 
see the difficulties homeowners face and to develop a solution.
  Through the program, many middle- and lower-class families have been 
able to stay in their homes through the remediation procedures the 
program offers. The results have been impressive; in 2009 alone, of the 
821 foreclosure cases sent to remediation, 451 of them were successful.
  The Foreclosure Mediation Program has been so successful that it has 
been nationally recognized. It was recently honored when its program 
director, Andrea Kinast and Common Pleas Court Committee Chair, Judge 
Eileen T. Gallagher received an invitation to the ``Closing the Justice 
Gap for America's Working Families'' event at the White House, on 
November 19, 2010. This event presents a great opportunity to highlight 
the program's success and draw attention to its potential use as a 
model for the rest of the nation.
  Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring the Cuyahoga 
County Foreclosure Mediation Program. The hard-working and dedicated 
staff has been able to keep many people in their homes, preserving our 
community and helping to save the financial integrity and personal 
dignity of those who have run into difficulties. I applaud and 
encourage their efforts to assist those in need.

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