[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16038-16039]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING OHIO CITIZENS

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as we come to the season of Thanksgiving, a 
time to celebrate the precious gifts of family, friends, community, and 
country, please allow me to pay special tribute of gratitude to some 
outstanding northwest Ohio citizens whose lives made a significant 
contribution to building a better community and America.
  We honor them for who they were and what they contributed to the 
betterment of our lives together in what some have called our beloved 
community.
  In particular, let me recognize business leader Barry Greenblatt, his 
magnificent, ebullient personality as founder of Barry Bagels and a 
work ethic like no other.
  Mrs. Jean Overton was a pioneering woman who gladly assumed the role 
of mother for our community.
  The former Mayor of Waterville, Ohio, three terms, Chuck Peyton, who 
lived as a man for others, a Navy veteran who logged four decades of 
public service.
  Sheryl Shipman, who dedicated her career to ensuring recreational 
opportunities for children, older adults, and people with special 
needs. Oh, she was a leader, and how people trusted her in Toledo.
  Finally, Sam Szor, ``Mr. Music.'' Born in Toledo's Birmingham 
neighborhood, for more than 60 years under his baton delighting 
hundreds of thousands of people in his incredible music that floated 
over our community in free concerts for decade after decade after 
decade.
  What magnificent Americans these individuals were.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to lay their life stories in the 
Congressional Record.
  Mr. Speaker, as we come to this Season of Thanksgiving, a time to 
celebrate the precious gifts of family, friends, community, and 
country, please allow me to pay special tribute of gratitude to some 
outstanding Northwest Ohio citizens whose lives made a significant 
contribution to building a better community and America. We honor them 
for who they were and what they contributed to the betterment of our 
lives together in what some have called our beloved community.
  In particular, Mr. Speaker, please let me recognize for outstanding 
character and achievement:
  Business leader Barry Greenblatt, founder of Barry Bagels. Without a 
doubt, Barry's ebullient personality, creativity, and work ethic 
produced a business, founded in 1972, that anchored Toledo and 
Southeast Michigan in their very hearts. Without question, Barry Bagels 
are the best in America. His deli counter became part of the Toledo and 
Ann Arbor scenes, appreciated and always dependable. Barry's generosity 
extended far beyond the walls of his business. His charity was as 
boundless as his broad smile. He was always collecting for some needy 
cause--sick children, peace in the Middle East, local ball clubs and 
youth groups. He worked in his business, hands on, year after year. He 
was indefatigable. He made an effort to employ local youth and touched 
the lives of thousands of our fellow citizens with his good humor and 
community-minded. What a likable human being was he. Customers could 
often find Barry behind the counter, his happy banter infectious.
  Quick to lend a hand, participate in an event, lead an effort or help 
a friend, Barry Greenblatt was held in high esteem by all who were 
lucky to know him. He was the perfect example of a compassionate 
businessman whose focus was on his family, his employees and his 
community. We shall always remember Barry's smiling face and golden 
heart. May his wife, children and grandchildren draw strength from his 
legacy achievements. We join our spirits with theirs and shall deeply 
miss him.
  Mrs. T. Jean Overton was a pioneering woman who gladly assumed the 
role of Mother for our Community. Jean never stopped giving--to her 
family, her church, her neighborhood, her community, and to every 
person whose path she crossed. A talent and broadcast pioneer and 
graduate of the University of Toledo, in 1952 Jean was the first 
African American woman to broadcast on Toledo area airwaves. She went 
on to work for many more years in broadcasting and public relations, 
but also moved into public service.
  Following the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, Jean assumed 
leadership roles in Model Cities and other programs to revitalize 
Toledo's neighborhoods, with a particular dedication to North Toledo. 
Jean was a leader. Always with grace, she attended community meetings, 
founded organizations, counseled youth, testified at public forums, 
fought the abuses of poverty and discrimination, and ministered to 
forgotten people and places. Her spirituality, perseverance, and 
genuine concern were evident and made a difference. Appointed to the 
Ohio Public Health Council in 1971, Jean led an effort to organize an 
association for people with sickle cell anemia. Jean was also a 
neighborhood activist throughout her life. As her son succinctly 
described Jean, ``She would want to be remembered as a mother, first 
and foremost. And someone who would rather give than receive, to be 
honest. She was a mother to Toledo.'' Toledo is a better place because 
Jean Overton made her life here with us. May God grant her a peaceful 
rest and bring comfort to her dear family and all those who loved her.
  Chuck Peyton truly was a man for others. As a Navy veteran, 
councilman, municipal administrator and then three term mayor of 
Waterville, Ohio, Chuck logged four decades of public service. With an 
easy smile and ability to listen, he happily devoted his years to 
building a stronger community and country. He was a storyteller, 
enjoyable company to young and old. His travels as a deep sea diver 
equipped him with harrowing and adventuresome tales.
  Committed to public transit, and understanding the needs of the 
disabled as he bore lifetime mobility challenges from an accident, he 
served 18 years as a trustee for the Toledo Area Regional Transit 
Authority for eighteen years. His public service also included various 
county positions and administration in the Ohio Department of 
Transportation's Northwest Ohio district office.
  Chuck Peyton knew how to achieve progress. He was always thinking 
forward, whether it was modernizing regional public transit or 
visioning the new U.S. 24 route between Ohio and Indiana to relieve 
dangerous conditions on the old Route 24. Our community is better 
because Chuck Peyton lived among us, and cared about us. May his lovely 
wife Diane, family, and friends draw comfort from their memories of his 
living legacy of love and devotion to duty.
  Robert O'Connell was ``an icon of local tennis.'' He was a history 
teacher and renowned tennis coach at Ottawa Hills High School, retiring 
in 1988. A master of the game, he coached many young people to 
outstanding high school and college careers, imbuing them with a love 
of the game. A testament to his character and his coaching is the high 
regard with which his athletes still hold him. In 2006, the Ottawa 
Hills tennis courts were named in Robert O'Connell's honor. Even with 
all of the local and statewide accolades, Robert O'Connell's greatest 
legacy is his family. We shall not forget this champion.
  Sheryl Shipman dedicated her career to ensuring recreational 
opportunities for children, older adults and people with special needs. 
She served as a supervisor and manager in Toledo's Recreation 
Department until illness overcame her. Through several city 
administrations and many budget challenges, Sherrie fought for the 
initiatives she developed for

[[Page 16039]]

people to play in Toledo's pools, parks, ice rinks, baseball diamonds 
and community centers. One of her colleagues explained, ``She felt all 
the children of Toledo were her children. That's what allowed her to be 
a force to be reckoned with.'' Sherrie Shipman's tireless efforts on 
behalf of others earned her respect and admiration and will not soon be 
forgotten. Her son summed it up by saying, ``She was a leader, and 
people trusted her.''
  Finally, Samuel Szor, ``Mr. Music.'' Born in Toledo's Birmingham 
neighborhood, Sam's musical talents were soon recognized. A high school 
standout, Sam performed as part of the University of Michigan Marching 
Band while earning two degrees. He came home to teach, inspiring 
students and community alike. Sam began Toledo's famed outdoor summer 
concert series, ``Music Under the Stars'' in the Toledo Zoo's 
amphitheater. For more than sixty years under his baton, Sam delighted 
and dazzled summer concertgoers with this brilliance. An accomplished 
musician in this own right, Sam performed with the Toledo Symphony 
Orchestra, eventually leading it himself in the Casual Concerts program 
of popular and classical music. He also conducted the Perrysburg 
Symphony Orchestra for twenty years. He directed the First 
Congregational Church motet choir for 37 years. For 53 years Sam led 
the Toledo Choral Society in its annual December presentation of 
Handel's ``Messiah.'' A true visionary, Sam Szor enjoyed iconic status 
in his lifetime. His imprimatur in our community is everywhere as his 
career was writ large. The gifts he gave us are truly priceless and we 
will long remember our very own ``Mr. Music.''

                          ____________________