[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.

                          ____________________