[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23861]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 23861]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

                      IN MEMORY OF CHRISTINE VEST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 23, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. LaTourette, and I are 
saddened to learn of the passing of Christine Vest, a tireless advocate 
for railroad safety. Mrs. Vest passed away last Thursday, October 19, 
2000, at the age of 42.
  Mrs. Vest turned a personal tragedy into a public crusade. About 3 
years ago, her 16-year-old son Jeffrey Vest was tragically killed by a 
train. Christine Vest became relentless in her effort to bring railroad 
safety to the forefront of public consciousness. She played an 
important role in ensuring that the acquisition of Conrail by CSX and 
Norfolk Southern railroads incorporated safety features that were 
essential to the people of the Greater Cleveland area, the State of 
Ohio, and the nation.
  Along with her daughter Stephanie, Christine Vest could be found 
wherever there was an opportunity to spread the word about train 
safety. She and Stephanie volunteered with a national rail safety 
program called Operation Lifesaver, an organization that provides 
public education about railroad safety. Mrs. Vest spoke in schools and 
rode specially chartered trains to inform students, public officials, 
and community workers about steps they can take to make railroad tracks 
safer to the general public. She spoke before the Ohio House of 
Representatives, successfully urging approval of funding for railroad 
crossing gates.
  Mrs. Vest was born in Eastlake, Ohio, and graduated from Eastlake 
North High School in 1975. She was active in the Harvey High School 
Booster Club. In addition to her daughter Stephanie, she is survived by 
her husband Charles, a son Matthew, her mother, Gerrie Smith, two 
grandchildren, three brothers, and a sister.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in remembering Christine 
Vest. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vest family at this time.

                          ____________________