[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  IN HONOR OF TOM AND BEVERLY JELEPIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Tom and Beverly 
Jelepis, the former Mayor of Bay Village, Ohio and his wife.
  Tom Jelepis was the Mayor of Bay Village from 1994 to 2000. In August 
of 2010, Tom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After ten 
months of treatment, Tom is now cancer-free. However, the experience 
left his wife, Beverly, overwhelmed with the responsibilities of 
maintaining a home, a family, and also their real estate business. 
Friends and Bay Village residents were eager to help the former mayor 
and his family by providing them with food, lawn care services, and 
other day-to-day needs for which they no longer had time. The couple 
realized how difficult a cancer diagnosis must be for people without 
such support, and was deeply thankful for the generosity of their 
friends and neighbors during their difficult time.
  Tom and Beverly have decided to establish an organization called 
Friends From the Start that will provide the same basic services for 
other cancer patients. The organization's website will include links to 
businesses that are willing to offer their services for free or a 
reduced cost to people with cancer. Friends From the Start will be run 
by volunteers and will also have volunteers present to personally 
assist the patients.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Tom and 
Beverly Jelepis, a couple familiar with the hardships of cancer who are 
dedicated to maintaining the quality of life for their neighbors should 
they battle this terrible disease.

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