[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 125 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REPRESENTATIVE JACK CERA

  (Mrs. Sykes of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise with a heavy heart but with 
extreme honor to recognize the life of a colleague, a mentor, and a 
dear friend, former Ohio State Representative Jack Cera, who passed 
away on July 13 after a courageous 2\1/2\-year battle with cancer. My 
sincere and deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends, and all 
who knew and loved him.
  Jack was a proud son of Bellaire, Ohio, a man who never forgot where 
he came from and who fought every day to serve the people of eastern 
Ohio.
  Jack was a true statesman, someone who listened more than he spoke, 
sought common ground without compromising his values, and worked 
tirelessly to deliver for the communities he loved. Jack served in the 
Ohio House of Representatives across three decades, from 1983 to 1996, 
and again from 2011 to 2020.
  He represented families in Belmont, Monroe, Noble, Jefferson, and 
Washington Counties with distinction.
  His colleagues across the political spectrum respected him. His 
constituents trusted him, and those of us who had the privilege of 
working alongside him admired him deeply.

  I had the honor of working alongside Jack in the Ohio House where I 
witnessed firsthand his commitment to the people of eastern Ohio. Jack 
and I served in leadership together, and when I was elected as the 
minority leader, I tapped him to serve as the ranking member of the 
Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
  Whether it was fighting for infrastructure investment, preserving the 
local government fund, or advocating for economic development in 
Appalachia, Jack never wavered in his commitment to public service.
  Jack was a Brown University graduate, and he was sent to Rhode Island 
on a football scholarship. He would often joke that he was in the first 
class of football players to ever wear helmets, leather helmets at 
that.
  Although, he was an Ivy Leaguer, he didn't have an ounce of 
superiority nor was there anything pretentious about him. He was just 
Jack, and that is what made him so special and so nice to work with.
  He didn't take himself seriously, but he certainly took the work of 
the people very seriously. I would argue that you didn't really know 
Jack if he didn't teach you how to properly pronounce Bellaire, share 
some music, or advocate for the people of eastern Ohio.
  Most importantly, Jack was smart, dedicated, and a trusted legislator 
who exemplified the very best of public service. He was sought after 
for advice and leadership on difficult issues as he was always 
committed to the purpose of representing his hometown and the people of 
Ohio with integrity.
  Without a doubt, Jack left a mark on the State of Ohio, and his 
legacy of service will not soon be forgotten.
  Jack will be remembered by his wife, Becky; his beloved daughters, 
Jaclyn and Bethany; granddaughters, Scarlett, Lena, and Finley; and the 
countless people whose lives he made better.
  This past weekend, my husband, Kevin, and I joined the Bellaire 
community, former legislators, colleagues, friends, and family to pay 
our final respects to Jack.
  It was clear that the community loved and cared about him as was 
evidenced by the Jack Cera for Ohio House signs in yards leading the 
way to the church and the many people who were gathered at the church.
  The eulogist and the pastor asked those present to think about the 
dash in between the dates that Jack was born and the date that he was 
returned home to the Lord.
  As people stood up to share their experiences and to expand upon the 
dash, I wanted to be able to add my tribute to him but here on the 
floor of the United States House of Representatives.
  The eulogists also reminded us that Jack had a motto of ensuring that 
he left things better than he found them. I encourage and call upon all 
of my colleagues here in Congress to leave a place better than you 
found it in honor and memory of Jack Cera.
  Though his presence will be missed, I am confident his memory will 
live on through the people he influenced and the family he deeply 
loved. For a moment, I will just acknowledge his daughters, again, 
Jaclyn and Bethany, and his wife of over 40 years, Becky, and say thank 
you for sharing Jack with us. I know it was hard to see him leave for 
Columbus many times over the 30 years, but we are so grateful for your 
sacrifice. We will keep you lifted up in our prayers.
  Thus with deepest sympathy, I mourn the loss and pay tribute to a 
truly phenomenal individual. May his memory be a blessing.

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