[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN REMEMBRANCE OF MR. JOHN C. FAKAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. John C. 
Fakan, the skipper of the historic USS COD Submarine Memorial.
  Mr. Fakan was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 10, 1934. He grew up in 
Cleveland and attended John Marshal High School. John earned a 
bachelor's degree in physics from Ohio University, a master's degree in 
electrical engineering from Colorado State University, and a PhD in 
systems engineering, also from Colorado State University. Despite his 
education in the sciences, John had interests in many areas. He served 
as the president of the Cleveland Philosophical Society and was a 
trustee of the Great Lakes Historical Society and the Historic Naval 
Ships Society.
  John led a life full of accomplishments that ranged from working as 
an aerospace engineer for NASA's Lewis Research Center in Brook Park, 
Ohio to founding the Medical Data Systems Corporation, located 
Northeast Ohio. Throughout his career, John helped develop technology 
used in moon landings and designed quieter jet engines. He also worked 
on the Great Lakes Very High Frequency Communications System technology 
that allowed for radio-telephone communication over the Great Lakes.
  Most recently, John had been known as the skipper of the USS COD 
Submarine Memorial, a warship that saw battle in both World War II and 
the Korean War. In 2011, John was awarded the Casper J. Knight, Jr. 
Award for his work restoring and maintaining the submarine.
  I offer my condolences to his wife Helene; children, Stephen, Debra 
and Sandra; grandchildren, and five siblings. In addition to his 
family, John will be missed by the many people whose lives he affected 
in his 78 incredible years.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring John C. Fakan, 
a leader and a role model in the Cleveland community.

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