[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E575-E576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN REMEMBRANCE OF KEVIN O'DONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Kevin O'Donnell.
  Kevin O'Donnell was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925 and attended West 
High School and Kenyon College before joining the U.S. Navy Supply 
Corps during World War II. After returning home from the war, he 
attended Harvard University and established himself as a businessman, 
working for SIFCO and Booz, Allen, Hamilton.
  In 1966, he made a life-changing decision after spotting a story in a 
local paper about a man serving in the Peace Corps. He applied and 
accepted an assignment to head the Peace Corps' office in South Korea. 
As the Country Director in South Korea, he was charged with 
establishing educational programs. After four years in that post, he 
moved to the Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. and quickly 
rose up the ranks, finally becoming Director of the Peace Corps in 
1971. O'Donnell was instrumental in successfully opposing Congressional 
efforts to slash funding for the Peace Corps. His daughter Megan and 
granddaughter Allison would continue his legacy, volunteering with the 
Peace Corps in Nepal and Honduras, respectively.
  After 6 years with the Peace Corps he returned to Lakewood, Ohio and 
to SIFC, serving as the company's CEO. O'Donnell was recognized several 
times for his dedication to public service, receiving honorary 
doctorates from Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan, and Pusan National 
University in Korea.
  Kevin O'Donnell is survived by his children Kevin, Susan, Michael, 
John, Maura, Megan

[[Page E576]]

and Hugh; as well as by 17 great grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Kevin 
O'Donnell. His work and legacy will live on with all those who were 
blessed with knowing him.

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