[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      MARVIN OLINSKY: VISIONARY, PUBLIC SERVANT, AND HUMANITARIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Marvin 
Olinsky, who is retiring after serving 14 years as chief executive of 
the Five Rivers MetroParks, a regional park system in Dayton and the 
Miami Valley, Ohio. Marvin has been an extraordinary steward of the 
park system and a tireless advocate for clean, safe parks for us and 
future generations.
  Ten years ago, the park district managed 6,900 acres. Under Marvin's 
leadership, Metroparks has grown to an 11,000 acre system with an 
annual attendance of 5.6 million visitors. He increased law enforcement 
within the parks, expanded educational programs and recreational 
facilities, and made the parks cleaner. These improvements have made 
the park system enormously popular among residents of the Miami Valley.
  Marvin has been more than a park system director to the community. He 
has been a true visionary, helping to make the physical surroundings in 
the Dayton area more attractive and friendly. He was a moving force 
behind the current downtown Dayton renaissance and he has actively 
participated formally and informally in a broad range of civic 
activities.
  Beyond Dayton and this country, Marvin's spirit of helping stretches 
to the war-torn West African nation of Sierra Leone. As a private 
citizen, he has visited the country on a regular basis to bring much-
needed books, medicine, clothing, and food. I have traveled with him to 
Sierra Leone on a humanitarian mission. It has been an honor to work 
with him in the struggle for justice in that country.
  I have had the privilege of working with Marvin on other projects, 
including the Hope Foundation, which he chairs. This group supports 
needy citizens in Africa and around the world.
  For me, Marvin is more than just a partner in public service. I am 
proud that he is my friend.
  Dayton is fortunate that Marvin plans to stay in the area and 
continue his civic involvement. His creativity, vision, and energy can 
always be used here.

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