[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 191 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8540-S8541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING FRANK ANDERSON
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, I rise to honor a long-time friend
and a hero to veterans and to those who believe in justice in Ohio:
Frank Anderson, a long-time leader of paralyzed veterans in Ohio, who
passed away last week from complications of an infection.
Frank was a friend and a trusted advocate. He always spoke eloquently
about issues facing veterans and people living with disabilities.
Confined to a wheelchair as a paraplegic for the overwhelming
majority of his adult life, Frank was soft spoken, yet larger than
life, with a commanding presence.
As a leader of the Buckeye Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans
Association, he drove himself to veterans events across Ohio.
He spoke out against inequality in disability pay--and the barriers
that face disabled veterans, from health care to transit accessibility,
to economic opportunity.
He was a strong advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act. He
fought to ensure housing was affordable and accessible for all
Americans.
He testified in front of Congress on issues facing veterans in rural
areas and would return that night to Cleveland to fight for veterans in
cities.
He would always do so the right way--prepared in facts and figures,
armed with anecdotes and stories.
Born in Cleveland in 1953, Frank Anderson graduated from East Tech
High in 1971.
In 1976, he left Bowling Green State University to enlist in the Ohio
Army National Guard's 107th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
In 1981, Frank was paralyzed after an 18-wheeler crashed into an Ohio
National Guard convoy he was traveling in. He recovered and rehabbed at
what is now the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland, meeting
other disabled veterans--hearing their stories, learning from them, all
becoming advocates charged with helping veterans.
While taking away his ability to walk for the rest of his life, the
experience strengthened his will to serve and to live his life on his
terms.
He remained active in wheelchair sports--playing tennis, lifting
weights, and throwing a discus and a javelin.
He became a longtime leader for all Americans with disabilities and
became a trusted leader in the African-American community.
He embraced life's challenges. He made the world better for all of
us--even dressing as Santa for children at the Cleveland Clinic's
Children's Hospital.
He traveled the country. He cooked his favorite seafood. He listened
to his favorite old rhythm and blues music.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record
Frank Anderson's obituary from the Cleveland Plain Dealer and a letter
about Frank's life from Bill Lawson, president of the Paralyzed
Veterans of America.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dec. 8, 2011]
(By Grant Segall)
East Cleveland.--Crashing into an Ohio National Guard
convoy, an 18-wheeler paralyzed Frank W. Anderson in 1981 and
inspired him to become a statewide leader for disabled
veterans.
Anderson, 58, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Stokes Cleveland
VA Medical Center from complications of an infection.
``He was a guiding light,'' said Ray Saikus, president of
the Joint Veterans Commission of Cuyahoga County, whose first
vice president was Anderson. ``He was well-versed, respectful
and assertive about issues.''
Among many roles, Anderson was government relations
director for the Paralyzed Veterans Association's Buckeye
Chapter. Buckeye President Carl Harris said, ``He was very
effective. He did his homework. We didn't just go in and say,
`Do something
[[Page S8541]]
about this and figure it out.' We always had ideas on, `You
could do it this way and that way.' ''
Anderson spoke about many problems, from illegal parking in
spaces for the handicapped to inequities in disability pay.
``There should be a standard rate for all veterans across the
U.S.,'' he told The Plain Dealer in 2008.
Despite paraplegia, he drove himself and wheeled his chair
to countless veterans' events. ``We do this in remembrance,''
he said in 1993. ``We want our children to be proud of what
we did for this country.''
Anderson was born in Cleveland and graduated East Tech High
in 1971. In 1976, he left Bowling Green State University and
enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard's 107th Armored
Cavalry Regiment. He was on active duty in Michigan when
paralyzed. He was discharged the next year as a sergeant.
He joined the Paralyzed Veterans' Buckeye board in 1985,
then switched to a paid job in 1987 as the group's advocacy
director. He was also vice president of the Memorial Day
Association of Greater Cleveland and a commissioner of Ohio
Rehabilitation Services.
He belonged to the Governor's Council on People with
Disabilities, ADA Ohio Network, Maximum Accessible Housing of
Ohio, and Greater Cleveland RTA Citizens Advisory Board. As a
trustee of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, he took charge
of getting it a wheelchair lift.
Anderson often played Santa at what's now the Cleveland
Clinic Children's Hospital. He liked to cook seafood, travel
around the country and listen to music, especially old rhythm
and blues.
Frank William Anderson, 1953-2011. Survivors: Wife, the
former Joe Ann Huff; children, Yolanda Anderson of East
Cleveland, Patrice Anderson of Cleveland, Chemenda Wilbourn-
Anderson of Cleveland, Tamika Savior-Greer of Cleveland
Heights and Franklin Savior of Cleveland; seven
grandchildren; a sister and two brothers.
____
PVA Buckeye Chapter Mourns the Loss of Frank Anderson
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing
of Frank Anderson, long-time Buckeye Chapter Government
Relations Director. We were informed by the Buckeye Chapter
that Frank passed away in the early morning hours of December
6, 2011.
Frank was the consummate advocate for people with
disabilities known throughout the greater Cleveland area and
Ohio as a vigorous and articulate spokesman on behalf of
disability rights.
For Frank no effort was too small nor challenge too large
if it would benefit the greater disability community and he
should be remembered as a leader in the fight to secure
passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A mentor to
his fellow Chapter Government Relations Directors and the
2010 recipient of the Richard Fuller Outstanding Achievement
in Government Relations Award, Frank exemplified the active
member devoted to the goals of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Frank leaves behind a community that is better for his
efforts. On behalf of all of PVA, we extend our deepest
sympathies to his many friends, colleagues, and most
specifically, his loving wife Joanne and family.
Once PVA executive offices receive pertinent memorial
service information from the Buckeye Chapter, we will forward
to you. Thank you for sharing this news with those who may
not yet be aware and would appreciate knowing.
Sincerely,
Bill Lawson,
PVA National President.
Homer S. Townsend, Jr.,
PVA Executive Director.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, Frank served as director of
government relations for the Paralyzed Veterans Association's Buckeye
Chapter in my State.
He served as vice president of the Memorial Day Association of
Greater Cleveland, as well as a commissioner of the Ohio Rehabilitation
Services.
He belonged to the Governor's Council on People with Disabilities,
the ADA Ohio Network, the Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio, and the
Greater Cleveland RTA, the transit system's Citizens Advisory Board.
He was a trustee of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in downtown
Cleveland, responsible for installing its wheelchair lift.
I will miss Frank. I will miss his friendship, his wit, and his
humor. But his State and Nation will miss him more--his strong will and
his dedication to public service and the lives he helped to improve.
Frank was an inspiration to anyone in or out of a wheelchair--a
tireless advocate whom everyone loved and respected.
On Thursday, December 15--a couple days from now--at Mount Sinai
Baptist Church, on Woodland Avenue in Cleveland, Frank's family and
friends will gather for his funeral--his going home.
I wish I could be there. I will be here. But I wish I could be there
to say goodbye--to join his wife Joe Ann, their children Yolanda,
Patrice, Chemenda, Tamika, Franklin and seven grandchildren and Frank's
sister and two brothers.
For them, I offer my condolences but also reaffirm a commitment to
serving Frank's cause on behalf of all disabled Americans, especially
those who are disabled and paralyzed in service to our country.
____________________