[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2347-2348]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING TOLEDO MAYOR D. MICHAEL COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2015

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the noble life of 
Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins, a true American and public servant 
whose life was tragically cut short. Mr. Collins was sworn into office 
one year ago as the 62nd Mayor of Toledo, Ohio, and every day he showed 
his dedication to the words ``duty'' and ``honor.'' An Irish-American 
from the South End of Toledo, he was a son and a father of Toledo. The 
love that our community felt for Mayor Collins was shown by the 
thousands who attended his wake and funeral this week.
  He served honorably with an honest soul that ferried our great city 
through a very difficult year. Dedicated to the people of Toledo, he 
spent his entire adult life and work serving our community and country.
  Following his high school graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marine 
Corps, attaining the rank of Corporal, and every day exemplified the 
motto of the Corps, Semper Fidelis, ``Always Faithful.'' After 
returning home, his public service continued for nearly three decades 
with the Toledo Police Department. He was later elected President of 
the Toledo Police Patrolmen's Association. In 2007, he ran for City 
Council and quickly earned a reputation as a problem solver with deep 
knowledge of the City's finances and budget. He ran for Mayor in 2013 
in a heavily contested race, won with broad public support and was 
sworn into his first term.
  Mayor Collins lived the City's motto ``Laborare est Orare,'' to work 
and to pray. He assiduously applied himself to every task he undertook. 
Throughout his life, he was an indefatigable learner attaining many 
degrees that served him well in his leadership roles. He also taught at 
his alma mater, the University of Toledo.
  During his time as Mayor, he shepherded the City through three major 
crises: the tragic

[[Page 2348]]

loss of two firefighters in an arson-related fire, the shutoff of City 
water for three days because of contamination by algal blooms in Lake 
Erie due to cyanotoxins, and, most recently, a snow emergency of the 
highest level. Through it all, Mayor Collins' steady leadership, humble 
manner, and broad smile gave confidence to the public.
  On behalf of our entire community, I extend my deepest condolences to 
his beloved wife Sandy, who was always at his side, and to his 
daughters and grandchildren. Our citizenry has been blessed to know 
him, to work with him and for his service to us. May God bless him and 
bring him peaceful rest.