[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18571]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF MARJORIE HELEN KNOLL PALLOTTA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Marjorie Helen Knoll Pallotta, whose unwavering devotion to family, 
friends, community and country has left an indelible imprint upon our 
society and has forever touched the hearts of all who knew and loved 
her well.
  Mrs. Pallotta was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 22, 1923 to George 
W. Knoll, Jr. and Marie C. Dolan Knoll. She graduated from Notre Dame 
Academy in 1941 and went on to study at the Cleveland Institute of 
Music, where she met Rico Pallotta. They were married on April 3, 1948 
at St. Clair Catholic Church and moved into a duplex in Cleveland 
Heights. Together, they lovingly raised five children, Ward, Richard, 
Ann, Joy and Tom, in a home that radiated love, unity and music. They 
bought their first house in 1955 in Beachwood village and several years 
later, the family moved to Bainbridge.
  Although extremely busy raising five children, Mrs. Pallotta always 
found time to volunteer in the community. She was known for many 
beautiful talents, including her singing, prize winning rug hooking, 
Scottish Country dancing and Irish red hair. She lent her musical 
talents, especially her beautiful voice, as a singer in churches and at 
community events. She regularly sang at weddings, at Suburban Temple, 
and joined the choir of Grace Lutheran Church in Cleveland Heights for 
the production of a record album. Mr. and Mrs. Pallotta also sang 
together in the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. At family reunions, Mrs. 
Pallotta thrilled family and friends with her incredible mezzo soprano 
voice, singing religious, classical and operatic selections along with 
Broadway show tunes, most often accompanied by Rico on accordion or 
piano. After singing the National Anthem at a July 4th reunion in New 
York, her cousin, Larry Dolan, owner of the Cleveland Indians, asked if 
she would sing at Jacobs Field. She accepted, and with power and 
perfection, on June 7, 2002 at the age of 79, Mrs. Pallotta sang a 
powerful and moving rendition of the National Anthem, as tens of 
thousands of baseball fans listened with pride.
  Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of Marjorie Helen Knoll Pallotta, whose joyous and spirited life 
reflects unwavering dedication to family, friends and community--framed 
in love, music and song. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her 
children, Ward, Richard, Ann, Joy and Tom; to her grandchildren, and to 
her extended family members and many friends. Mrs. Pallotta's beautiful 
life brought joy to her family, friends and people in the community, 
and her love of life, and love she showed to others, will forever be 
remembered.

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