[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E172-E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN REMEMBRANCE OF VICTOR J. LABUTTA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Victor J. 
Labutta and in recognition of his devotion to family, community and 
country.
  Victor was born in Collier, Pennsylvania. He attended both the 
California University of

[[Page E173]]

Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a 
master's degree in school administration. He entered the armed forces 
and fought on the sands of Iwo Jima. He was honored for his service 
during World War II in 1995 by the Joint Veteran's Commission of 
Cuyahoga County.
  After returning from the war, he took up teaching back home in 
Fayette County, Pennsylvania. In 1956, he moved to Parma, Ohio, where 
he would spend the rest of his life teaching and assisting the 
community. He taught shop class at Pleasant Valley Junior High, 
Hillside Junior High and at Parma Senior High. He was known to his 
students as Mr. La-Bow-Tie, for the trademark bow tie he wore to class 
every day.
  Victor also served on Parma's City Council for 16 years. He assisted 
his community by securing tax abatements for General Motors, a major 
employer in his district. He also fed the livelihood of the community 
by supporting housing integration in his city. Furthermore, Tim Dobeck, 
a colleague of his, commented that Victor ``took every new councilman 
under his wing.''
  Mr. Labutta was not only a leader in his community, he was also an 
active member among his neighbors. He was a member of the Parma 
American-Slovak Club for over 30 years. Victor was a devoted catholic 
and one of Kildare Catholic Church's founding members.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering Victor 
Labutta, whose legacy of dedication to family, city and country serve 
as an example. I extend my sincere condolences to Victor's wife, Mary 
Ann Steiger; his three sons; his daughter; ten grandchildren and two 
great-grandchildren.

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