[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16055-16056]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE JUDGE RAYMOND PIANKA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 24, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Honorable 
Judge Raymond Pianka, who is being recognized at the Cleveland Tenants 
Organization's Masquerade Benefit on October 21, 2011.
  Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Judge Pianka has dedicated his 
career to the betterment of the City of Cleveland. He attended 
Cleveland State University (CSU) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree 
in political science. In 1977, he earned a Juris Doctor Degree from the 
CSU's Cleveland Marshall Law School and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 
1978. While attending school, Judge Pianka was instrumental in 
establishing one of the first neighborhood-based development 
organizations in Cleveland, the Detroit Shoreway Community Development 
Organization and became the executive director.
  Judge Pianka ran and was elected to the Cleveland City Council in 
1985. During his ten years in office, he served as chairman of the 
Community and Economic Development Committee and Legislative Committee. 
He was a major contributor for legislation regarding the Housing Trust 
fund, City Works Program, Landlord Drug House Responsibility Ordinance, 
Anti-Graffiti Ordinance, Regulation of Nuisance Pay Phones, Small 
Business Micro Loans, Preservation of Brick Streets, Tenant Emergency 
Water Turn On Act and the Land Bank Utilization Ordinance among others.
  Judge Pianka was elected as the presiding and administrative judge of 
the Cleveland Municipal Court's Housing Division in 1996 and continues 
to serve in this role. During his ongoing tenure, Judge Pianka has 
implemented the Selective Intervention Program and Warrant Capias 
Program. He has also developed the Landlord Seminar Workshop, Housing 
Code Enforcement Advocates Forum and educational materials for the 
public on topics concerning home maintenance, the law and the 
navigation of Housing Court.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the Honorable 
Judge Raymond Pianka as he is recognized at the Cleveland Tenants 
Organization's Masquerade Benefit for his service and work to sustain 
Cleveland's neighborhoods.

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