[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 200 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8342-S8343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DAVID J. BERGER

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring and thanking an outstanding public servant, Mayor David J. 
Berger, who will retire at the end of this month, after dedicating his 
life to serving his beloved city of Lima, OH. He leaves this office 
with a legacy of service and accomplishments.
  Dave has served as the mayor of Lima, OH, for a remarkable 32 years. 
He is the proud son of an IBEW union worker and was raised with a keen 
sense of service to others and a dedication to his Catholic faith--two 
things that would guide him throughout his career. Dave's faith led him 
to attend a seminary high school and then St. Meinrad's seminary in 
southern Indiana. Upon leaving the seminary, he attended Catholic 
University of America in Washington, DC, where he received both his 
bachelor's and master's degrees.
  Following graduation, his faith and commitment to service brought him 
to Lima, OH, where he served as the executive director of Rehab 
Project. He worked to bring opportunity for a second chance to Ohioans 
in prison, helping provide training to build and renovate homes. This 
work led him to run for mayor in 1989 and, after a successful campaign, 
serve in that position ever since.
  From his work serving as a founding member of the bipartisan Ohio 
Mayors Alliance, to serving as cochair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors 
Water Council, Dave has worked with mayors and legislators on both 
sides of the aisle to always be a persistent advocate for the people of 
Lima and the concerns and challenges faced by many cities throughout 
the industrial Midwest.
  Dave is well known for his work advocating for water infrastructure 
and has spent half of his career as mayor leading negotiations with the 
U.S. and Ohio EPAs to work to solve a combined and sanitary sewer 
overflow problem that has plagued many cities. My staff and I regularly 
met with Dave about these issues and acted upon his ideas and 
suggestions.
  We have also worked together on several community projects. From 
helping to launch a My Brother's Keeper chapter in his city to 
advocating for public infrastructure investments or ensuring employers 
in Lima honor the dignity of work by respecting labor union rights, 
David and I have spent years collaborating to help the local community 
flourish.
  With his commitment to push for research and economic development, 
and improving the city's downtown, Dave has lent his time and wisdom to 
serving on the board of directors of the

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Ohio Energy Advanced Manufacturing Center; Downtown Lima, Inc.; the 
Allen Economic Development Group; and West Ohio Community Action 
Partnership. His pursuit of partnerships among these organizations and 
many community-driven task forces have helped support the city's 
workers and helped retain vital employers in the community, including 
the Lima Refinery, the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, JSMC, and 
the Ford Engine Plant.
  I am grateful that our friendship long predates both of our political 
careers--Dave is a fellow native of Mansfield, OH. He is also a fellow 
Eagle Scout. One my most prized photos is that of then-Col. John Glenn 
posing with me as I am awarded the Eagle Scout badge at the Johnny 
Appleseed Council's Eagle Scout ceremony. What that photo does not show 
is that Mayor Berger was there as well.
  Dave's legacy will live on in the city he loved--the jobs he saved 
and secured, the water infrastructure he improved, the businesses he 
helped thrive and grow, and, most importantly, the lives he helped 
change for the better.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing my friend, Mayor David J. 
Berger, a long and happy retirement. Dave has done so much good for so 
long for the people of Lima, and because of his work, Lima's next 
mayor, Sharetta Smith, has a strong foundation to continue addressing 
the challenges facing this city in the heart of Allen County.
  Dave, thank you for 32 years of dedicated service and for the legacy 
you have created. I know it has not always been, easy but all your 
efforts are appreciated.

                          ____________________