[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN REMEMBRANCE OF JUDGE PETER SIKORA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cuyahoga County 
Juvenile Court Judge Peter M. Sikora.
  Born on December 11, 1951, Judge Sikora was a lifelong Clevelander. 
He attended St. Ignatius High School where he ran track, cross country 
and played on the hockey team. Tragically, at the age of 17, Judge 
Sikora suffered a life altering trampoline accident that left him in a 
wheelchair. However, he was able to overcome his injury and have a 
successful career as a judge.
  After earning an associate's degree from Cuyahoga Community College 
and graduating as valedictorian from Baldwin-Wallace College, Judge 
Sikora earned his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. He 
went on to serve as deputy legal counsel for Governor Celeste in the 
mid-1980s before becoming deputy director and general counsel to the 
Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
  In 1989, former Governor Celeste appointed Judge Sikora to the 
Cuyahoga Juvenile Court where he continued to be re-elected for 
consecutive terms until his passing. He was the most veteran judge at 
the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. In addition to his service, Judge 
Sikora was a dedicated and active member of the Greater Cleveland 
community. He was a board member for the Cleveland Ballet, 
International Services Center, Health Hill Hospital for Children and 
MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio.
  I offer my condolences to his sister, Linda Baxendale; nieces and 
nephews, Nathan (Sara), Jared (Ashley), Aaron (Suzanne), Leah, Molly, 
Claire, Ava, Hatcher, Briley, Mary Grace and Jack; his caregiver, Jean 
Foutz and his court staff.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Judge Peter 
Sikora, who dedicated his life to serving the Greater Cleveland 
community.

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