[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E182-E183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF RICHARD J. SOLOVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the life 
and achievements of Mr. Richard J. Solove.
  I was proud to know Richard Solove for more than 25 years; and I was 
proud to call Dick my friend.
  Richard J. Solove's name is well known in Central Ohio and in the 
health care community, but his incredible life story of generosity and 
compassion may not be as commonly known. The Ohio State University's 
renowned Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital 
and Richard J. Solove Research Institute that bears his name is where 
doctors perform groundbreaking research in the fight against cancer.
  Richard Solove was inspired by his father's battle with cancer and 
later his sister's to help bring about a cure for cancer and provide 
cancer patients with the very best care. A pharmacist by training, Mr. 
Solove had a vision to help create a state-of-the-art cancer research 
and care facility at his alma mater, The Ohio State University. His 
donation of $20 million, the largest private donation The Ohio State 
University Medical Center had ever received, is helping make his vision 
a reality.
  According to the Columbus Dispatch, ``Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director 
of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center called Solove a hero for his 
passion, drive, tenacity, and vision . . .,'' while OSU President E. 
Gordon Gee said ``Solove was among the university's most-generous 
alumni and that he created an `enduring legacy' in working to find a 
cure for cancer.''
  His generosity didn't end with the one-time donation; he gave a total 
of $27 million to the Medical Center. He served as the board chairman 
of the James Cancer Hospital's Research

[[Page E183]]

Institute Foundation from 1989-1994 and remained on the board until his 
death last month at the age of 85. Quite literally, thousands of lives 
have been touched by Mr. Solove.
  His commitment to fighting cancer nearly matched his devotion to 
Central Ohio. He had the foresight to envision the growth and expansion 
of this region back in the 1960s. Ending his career as a pharmacist, he 
began to develop shopping centers, office buildings and apartment 
buildings as I-270 was being built.
  Growing his business, R.J. Solove and Associates, and creating 
Columbus Realty Investments, his 500 employees now stretch across seven 
states. He played a major role in developing Central Ohio's economy, 
leaving his footprint on the region for decades to come.
  The son of Russian immigrants, a graduate of Columbus Public Schools 
and The Ohio State University, Richard Solove was also a son of Ohio. 
He lived the American dream and his legacy will be felt for years to 
come.

                          ____________________