[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1370-E1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DICK GODDARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES B. RENACCI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2016

  Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to 
Dick Goddard on a

[[Page E1371]]

lifetime of success in Northeast Ohio and to offer my best wishes on 
his retirement. As an Akron, Ohio native, Dick has left a legacy in 
Northeast Ohio with his passionate involvement as a meteorologist, 
animal activist, and sports enthusiast.
   Dick's weather career started early during his service with the U.S. 
Air Force during the Korean conflict. Initially assigned to the Severe 
Storm Forecast Center at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, his 
military career soon brought him to the Pacific Islands to an 
assignment with the Atomic Energy Commission for the first full-yield 
hydrogen bomb test. After his discharge from the military, Dick began 
working for the National Weather Service, while simultaneously 
attending Kent State University and later graduating with a bachelor's 
of fine arts.
   Dick's news career began in 1961 working as an on-air meteorologist 
at Cleveland's KYW-TV. While at KYW, Dick made meteorological history 
when flying with the United States Navy Hurricane Hunter on the first 
low-level, nighttime penetration of a hurricane. In 1966, Dick became 
chief meteorologist at WJW-TV, Fox 8 Cleveland, where he spent the 
remainder of his career. During his tenure at Fox 8, Dick captivated 
his viewership, being named ``Ohio's Best Meteorologist'' and being 
voted as ``Best Weatherperso''.
   Directly aligned with his career was his passion for animals, which 
would be clearly highlighted during his segments on air. Demonstrating 
his compassion for animals even for the smallest of creatures, Dick is 
well known for his annual ``Woollybear Festival''; drawing more than 
100,000 people each year, it is Ohio's largest single day festival. 
Among the years of animal advocacy, Dick persistently promoted programs 
for dog & cat care and adoption. As a huge milestone for animal rights 
and as a culmination of his tireless work, in June of 2016, House Bill 
60 of the Ohio Assembly was passed. Otherwise known as ``Goddard's 
Law'', House Bill 60 sets to protect animal abuse in increasing the 
severity of penalties as a 5th degree felony.
   I ask my colleagues in the House to join me, along with the 
thousands in Northeast Ohio in paying homage to the man more commonly 
known as the weather man whose passion for meteorology could be 
paralleled only to his love for animals.

                          ____________________