[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 180 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF DAVID L. KOLBE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2015

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend David L. Kolbe 
of Howard, Ohio for his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame 
this year. A veteran of the Vietnam War and former fire fighter, David 
has dedicated his life to both those he served with and served for, 
returning to Ohio to start a career in public service.
   Kolbe was elected Damascus Township Trustee at the age of 33 and 
later served as Henry County Commissioner for four years, where he 
helped secure funding for the Henry County Veterans Memorial in 1989. 
Later, Kolbe helped elect President Bill Clinton in 1992 as Northwest 
Ohio coordinator for the Ohio Democratic Party.
   As a union ironworker by trade, Kolbe has supported unions 
throughout his life, serving as Political and Legislative Director for 
the Ohio AFL-CIO in 1994 where he championed reform on issues from 
campaign finance reform to prescription drug pricing. He also excelled 
in the realm of community service, working with the United Way and the 
Red Cross State Council during his time with the AFL-CIO, later earning 
an appointment by Governor Bob Taft to the State Community Service 
Council.
   Throughout his life, helping veterans find employment has been 
David's core focus as a public servant. He has recently worked closely 
with Helmets to Hardhats, a non-profit organization that helps connect 
recently returned veterans to employment in the construction industry. 
In his current role as political and legislative director for the 
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and 
Reinforcing Iron Workers, David builds upon his forty year membership 
in the Iron Workers Local 55 union by serving on the Union Veterans 
Council executive committee, which he helped found in 2009.
   David was nominated for induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of 
Fame by Bob Kane of McClure, Ohio and was inducted on November 5, 2015 
at the Lincoln Theater in Columbus, alongside eighteen other 
distinguished veterans. As a Hall of Fame member, David joins the ranks 
of an impressive list of distinguished Ohioans, including astronauts, 
police officers, Medal of Honor Recipients, and former Presidents of 
the United States.
   I could not be prouder of the work David Kolbe has done for veterans 
in the state of Ohio. I see his career of service as an inspiration. I 
hope you will all join me in congratulating David and his family for 
being recognized with this great honor.

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