[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19868]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN SEIBERLING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH REGULA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2008

  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my condolences to the 
family and friends of Congressman John Seiberling and to pay tribute to 
his work here in the Congress. Congressman Seiberling passed away on 
August 2, 2008, at the age of 89.
  John represented Ohio's 14th Congressional District, the district 
just north of the one I represent, from 1971 through 1987. He was an 
active member of the House Resources Committee and worked on a number 
of natural resource and environmental issues through this assignment. 
He cared deeply about the preservation of our national heritage and 
protecting the natural environment. He carried out these priorities 
through his work on the committee, but one effort in particular stands 
out as a legacy for the people of northeast Ohio.
  As an innovator when it came to protecting natural resources and open 
space, John introduced legislation that would create a 33,000-acre 
national recreation area between the two population centers of 
Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. He asked me to serve as his partner as the 
Republican cosponsor of the legislation. We worked together to pass the 
bill, and on December 27, 1974, with President Gerald Ford's signature, 
the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area was established.
  Today, this area, now the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is one of 
the most frequently visited national parks within the entire national 
park system and serves as a respite to the residents of the densely 
populated cities of Cleveland and Akron and their surrounding suburbs, 
as well as many national park visitors from other States.
  John's innovation and vision in understanding that people thirst for 
open spaces in their communities brought about the Cuyahoga Valley 
National Park. Today it is a gift to the people of northeast Ohio and a 
true legacy of his work.
  We are grateful for John's life and accomplishments and wish his 
family, especially his wife, Betty, who was his inspiring supporter, 
peace with his passing.

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