[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1640-E1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN REMEMBRANCE OF MRS. HELEN W. SOGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mrs. Helen 
W. Soggs, a longtime, active member of the Greater Cleveland community.
  Helen was born on March 4, 1921, as a first generation American, in 
Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of four, her family moved to Cleveland's 
Old Brooklyn neighborhood. She attended Oak Park School, Our Lady of 
Good Counsel Catholic School and James Ford Rhodes High School. 
Following her high school graduation, in 1939, Helen enrolled in typing 
and shorthand classes at the Dyke School of Commerce.
  On May 4, 1941, Helen married Kenneth Soggs. Because of Kenneth's job 
as a construction equipment operator, the young couple frequently 
relocated throughout the onset of World War II before returning to Old 
Brooklyn. During the War, in 1942, Helen became the first woman to be 
hired by Republic Steel; she worked as a ``scale girl'' for three 
years.
  Following the War, Helen and Kenneth started their family and had two 
sons. The Soggs family would eventually settle in Seven Hills, Ohio. 
Kenneth and Helen became involved in family-owned furniture stores, 
including Parma Home Appliance and Pleasant Valley Furniture. Helen 
would later work for Higbee's on their furniture customer service team. 
She retired in 1986.

[[Page E1641]]

  Helen was an involved member of the Greater Cleveland community. She 
was a parishioner of St. Columbkille Catholic Church and an active 
member of her ladies mission circle. She was involved with the Seven 
Hills Golden Agers, St. Columbkille Golden Agers, Justo Lane Club and 
was a longtime volunteer as an election day poll worker.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembrance of Mrs. 
Helen W. Soggs. I offer my condolences to her sons, Loree and Jim, her 
eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

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