[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17384]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF STEVE HEGEDUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Steve Hegedus, beloved family man, friend, mentor, firefighter, peace 
activist and United States veteran.
   Mr. Hegedus grew up in Cleveland along Buckeye Road where many 
Hungarian immigrants, like his parents, had settled. He served with 
honor in the United States Army during World War II as a member of the 
11th Airborne in the Pacific Theater. The young men he met while at war 
grew to be close and lifelong friends. After the war, Mr. Hegedus 
joined the Cleveland Heights Fire Department where he served with 
excellence, compassion and dedication for more than thirty years. He 
eventually attained the rank of Captain. While a firefighter, he 
operated a small home repair business. Although his work ethic was 
unwavering, his first priority was always his family. He and his wife, 
the late Mary Rose Hegedus, raised their children and remained closely 
connected to them and their grandchildren. When Mary Rose became ill, 
Mr. Hegedus lovingly cared for her. His daughter, Pamela; son, Steven; 
son-in-law, Timothy; daughter-in-law, Debbie; and grandchildren, Jordan 
and Ariel continued to be the center of his life.
   Mr. Hegedus' energy for life, passion for learning and willingness 
to take a stand on issues of social justice were always part of who he 
was. He lived with love for humanity and concern for our planet. He was 
an environmentalist before most even knew what the word meant. Mr. 
Hegedus took great care of his garden and fruit trees, sharing his 
harvest with friends, family and neighbors. He utilized green practices 
before they were popular, was an active member of the Sierra Club and 
he served on the board of the Cleveland Peace Action. Mr. Hegedus was 
an outspoken advocate against nuclear arms and was an outspoken leader 
of the Lyndhurst Nuclear Weapons Freeze Group. He was also an avid 
patron of theater, music, literature and the arts, and he attended 
lectures and performances on a regular basis. Mr. Hegedus was a 
longtime member of the South Euclid Library Book Club.
   Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and 
remembrance of Steve Hegedus, whose kindness, colorful personality, 
love for humanity, and devotion to family and friends framed his entire 
life. His beautiful spirit will live on, and he will always be 
remembered.

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