[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 964-965]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF MARY ZONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 26, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
my dear friend and mentor, Mary Zone, loving mother, grandmother, 
dedicated public servant, community activist, and dear friend to many. 
Her passing marks a great loss for her family and friends, and also for 
the people of Cleveland, whom she served with the highest level of 
commitment, concern, integrity and honor.
  Mrs. Zone's husband, the late Michael Zone, and their eight children 
were central to her life. The great care and love that she showered on 
them extended throughout Cleveland's west side neighborhood, where Mrs. 
Zone carried the torch of her late husband. The-well-being of their 
community, anchored by their parish, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 
remained a constant focus in the hearts of Michael and Mary Zone. Their 
united focus on family and service to others continues to illuminate 
the hope and promise of a better day for every citizen of this diverse, 
working-class community.
  A staunch Democrat, Mrs. Zone was appointed to Cleveland City Council 
in 1974, to

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serve out the term of her late husband. She was elected to serve three 
additional terms. As a member of the Council, Mrs. Zone was a fierce 
champion of the people of the near west side, and her unequalled work 
ethic and uncompromising integrity quickly garnered her the admiration 
of residents and the respect of those at City Hall.
  Armed with a compassionate heart, sharp mind and even sharper focus 
on the public she served, Mrs. Zone shattered the status quo by 
becoming the first woman of Italian heritage to serve on Cleveland City 
Council, and the first woman to serve as the Council's majority whip.
  Her years of working as a business owner and elected official served 
the City well throughout her tenure as an administrator with 
Cleveland's Community Development Department, an appointment made by 
then-Mayor George Voinovich. Later, she was appointed as Deputy 
Director of Special Projects with the Ohio Lottery Commission.
  Mary Zone's greatest legacy is reflected in the lives of her family 
and friends and along every street crisscrossing the near west side. 
She was a founding member of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development 
Organization and the Nolasco Housing Organization. She was an integral 
and active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, serving for many 
years as President of its PTA. Most recently, Mrs. Zone served on the 
board of Villa Mercedes. Following the death of her son, Marty, to AIDS 
in 1993, she actively pursued programs and projects focused on 
assisting individuals and families living with HIV and AIDS.
  Her humble nature precluded her from reveling in awards and 
accolades. However, her outstanding service was recognized by others. 
She was the recipient of many awards that highlighted her humanitarian 
efforts, including the Father Marino Frascati Neighborhood Champion 
Award from the Detroit Shoreway CDC, presented to her this past 
November.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance 
of Mary Zone. The infinite measure of her heart, combined with her 
courage, vision and integrity, defined her life and served to lift the 
lives of countless individuals and families throughout our community, 
especially our near west side neighborhood. Her kindness, energy and 
compassion will be greatly missed within the hearts of her many 
friends, including my own. I extend my deepest condolences to her 
friends and family members, and especially to her children, 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  Mary Zone lived her life with joy, energy and in unwavering service 
to others. Her eternal faith in humanity and in the notion that 
together, we can make a positive difference, will continue to serve as 
an unending force of hope and possibility throughout our community, and 
her memory and legacy will forever live on within the hearts of all who 
knew and loved her well.

                          ____________________