[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 53]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 53]]

                IN HONOR OF FATHER EDWIN J. SCHENKELBURG

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 24, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Father Edwin J. 
Schenkelburg on the occasion of his retirement. Father Schenkelburg has 
served St. Mel Parish in multiple capacities for the last twenty-eight 
years and his presence will surely be missed. Father Schenkelburg has 
been the backbone of an entire community, and his legacy will last for 
generations.
  A lifelong Cleveland resident, Fr. Schenkelburg has gained work 
experience in a number of vocations. As a young boy, he helped support 
his family with his earnings from stocking grocery shelves and 
delivering newspapers such as the Baseball News and Cleveland Press. He 
held his first position at a parish during high school when the pastor 
of St. Vincent de Paul offered him a job as parish Secretary on the 
condition that he attend St. Ignatius High School. Over summer and 
Christmas vacations while at the Seminary Schenkelburg worked in 
various occupations, including mail carrier, playground instructor, and 
construction laborer.
  Father Schenkelburg's ordination occurred on April 28, 1951 at St. 
John's Cathedral and was bestowed by Bishop Hoban.
  Father Schenkelburg has taken on many challenges as a parish priest 
including teaching religious classes and serving as the hospital 
chaplain at Metro Hospital and Akron Children's Hospital. An avid 
sports enthusiast, he played baseball with the Holy Name Society and 
started bowling leagues for his parishes.
  In addition to providing for the spiritual needs of St. Mel's 
parishioners, Father Schenkelburg has also been able to assist the 
church financially by organizing successful bingo games and raffles. 
The funds earned through these fundraisers allowed St. Mel to make 
major renovations to the Church and add a Church Hall without the need 
to solicit building funds from parishioners.
  Father Schenkelburg will celebrate his final Mass as Pastor at St. 
Mel on January 16, 2000, a day designated by the Parish as ``Fr. Ed 
Day.'' Following the Mass, family and parishioners will have the 
opportunity to celebrate his contributions at a formal reception and 
dinner.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to Father 
Schenkelburg on his retirement from St. Mel's Parish. I'm proud to have 
known Father Schenkelburg and I wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling 
retirement.

                          ____________________