[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10258-10259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO RONALD NABAKOWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2016

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a true public 
servant and fellow Ohio politician, Ronald Nabakowski. Ron passed away 
Friday, June 10th after a long struggle with ALS, and will be dearly 
missed by his family and friends.
  At the time of his passing Ron was retired, fully enjoying his time 
with family and actively

[[Page 10259]]

promoting the redevelopment of downtown Lorain. He had been a public 
servant in government for forty-two years.
  Prior to his retirement Ron served as Clerk of Court of Common Pleas 
in Lorain County for fourteen years, after a long career as State 
Senator, Lorain County Commissioner, and Director of the Ohio Lottery 
on Governor Dick Celeste's cabinet.
  Throughout his long career Ron remained dedicated to making 
government work better for the people. A Democrat, Ron did not hesitate 
to reach across the aisle to create comprehensive legislation that 
could pass the State legislature, and to ensure the community he 
represented flourished.
  One of his proudest moments in public service came while serving as 
Director of the Ohio Lottery. During his tenure, 17 cents of each state 
dollar went towards primary and secondary education in Ohio--a record 
that would remain unrivaled by subsequent Lottery administrations.
  An outspoken politician at times, Ron had many admirers and critics. 
Regardless of party affiliation, there was no denying that Ron was 
genuine, and that he would certainly act in a fair manner. He was led 
by Christian values and his love for the Lorain community. These values 
served him well, establishing Ron as a public servant of the highest 
order.
  Ron is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothea, and six of his 
children, having been preceded in death by a daughter and his parents.
  We offer them our prayers and hope that they find comfort in the 
wonderful memories of our dear friend, Ron, who will be remembered with 
affection and gratitude for his probing intellect, kind heart, and 
utter dedication to advancing Lorain as a community, its people and its 
institutions.

                          ____________________