E2282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 21, 1998 simply could not function without the good My good friend and colleague, Walter end of World War II, the evasion of com- work and commitment of our staff. McCaffrey, served me admirably as my very munism caused a massive immigration of Mr. Speaker, I have had the great good for- first District Chief of Staff. He later went on to Latvians to the United States, during which tune to have what I consider to be one of the win election to the New York City Council, more than 2,500 displaced Latvians chose the best offices in the Congress and I offer this where he still serves with distinction in the Cleveland area as their home. statement as a small tribute to their good seat I once held. This community of Latvian immigrants has deeds. While individual staffers have come The rest of my current staff have all played grown throughout the years, entering Ameri- and gone over the years, the office has al- an important role in keeping me informed and ca's economic and educational mainstream, ways functioned as a team, always striving to knowledgeable of a multitude of issues and but always maintaining their Latvian heritage do their best for me and for the citizens of concerns. As I said before, they are the real by sharing native foods, folk songs and danc- Queens and the Bronx. I thank them all from backbone of a successful Congressional of- ing with their neighboring communities. The the bottom of my heart. fice. Latvian organizations in Cleveland have pro- Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this oppor- Cinnamon Rogers, my Legislative Director, moted and preserved their native values and tunity to mention a few of my closest and has done a yeoman's job for me on tele- culture, as well as worked to expose the rav- longest served staffers; individuals who I have communication and finance issues under the ages of communism. They contributed to the come to rely upon without hesitation and Commerce Committee. Matt Socknat, has dream and final reality of an independent Lat- whom I consider to be friends. helped me obtain crucial funding for cleaning- via, when the country regained its independ- Jim Mathews, my current Chief of Staff, has up a local water body and successfully fought ence in 1991, after 50 years of Soviet domina- served with me for over ten years. First as my to stop additional flights in and out of tion. Legislative Assistant for Merchant Marine and LaGuardia Airport. Maggie Berman has done My fellow colleagues, please join me in hon- Fisheries, later as my Legislative Director, and a great job juggling my schedule while working oring Latvia's 80th Independence Day celebra- then as my Staff Director for the Subcommit- on a number of tricky legislative issues. Adam tion in the Greater Cleveland area. This event tee on Fisheries Management. After a two Wolf has brought a unique sense of humor, commemorates the many accomplishments of year stint as the Deputy Assistant Adminis- dedication, and caring to his staff position. No this community, and it recognizes the struggle trator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emer- one is better at obtaining White House tour to gain the freedom they have enjoyed for the gency Response at the U.S. Environmental tickets. past eight decades. Latvian-Americans con- Protection Agency, Jim was kind enough to re- In my District Office, Angela Dekker has had tinue to hold on to their Latvian heritage, cul- turn to work for me in his current position. the unenviable task of keeping my schedule Steve Vest was with me from the start, first ture, traditions and maintain ties with family straight, and has done so with alacrity. Irene as my Legislative Director and then as my and friends who live in their native land. Chief of Staff for many years. He has gone on Baker has done an outstanding job taking over f to a successful career as Vice President of the office's press duties and working with my constituents on a multitude of issues. Julia Ji- TRIBUTE TO FRANCES LOUISE Government Affairs with Rupert Murdoch's JACKSON BALTIMORE News Corporation. His advise and counsel al- menez has slogged through countless immi- ways served me well. gration cases without missing a beat. The two David Springer served as my first Chief of newest District staffers, Ivan Lavios and Tim HON. CORRINE BROWN Staff. Without David's excellent political insight Higgins, have brought a new zest and deter- OF FLORIDA and working knowledge of the Congress, I mination to working with my constituents. And, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES could not have been as successful as I was Fran Mahony Reilly, my Bronx District Office Tuesday, October 20, 1998 Manager, has successfully taken on the re- early on in my House service. He has since Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise put his skills to work as a partner in the pres- sponsibilities of a several person office all by today to pay tribute to a remarkable woman tigious Washington Group. herself. Without her, I simply could not have who has recently departed this life. Frances John Olmsted, my Office Manager, has adequately represented my Bronx constitu- been with me since I took the oath of office in ency. Louise Jackson Baltimore (1918±1998) was a 1985. How a son of Minnesota made his way Mr. Speaker. Finally, I would like to mention wonderful mother, wife, and friend to many. to the office of a Congressman from New York a few other members of my staff, both past She was born to the late Cornelius Jackson City I do not know, but I am glad he did. John and present, who have made my offices very and Fannie Burrells Jackson on June 18, 1918 has kept our computers running and my ex- special over the years: John Feeney, Rodney in Linden, Virginia. She married at an early pense account straight. I will miss his advice Bedford, Sean McIntyre, Jorge Rodriguez, age to Bishop Eugene E. Baltimore, and gave on the market as I head towards retirement. Tom Messina, Tara Thompson, John Smythe, birth to six childrenÐAnna, Florence, Barbara Brian Browne has served me well as my Neal Fenton, and Peter Praeger. I am leaving Jean, Eugene, Wilbert, and Darlene. She was Queens District Office Manager. Balancing a many individuals out of this list, but I hope preceded in death by Barbara Jean, Eugene, new family with the long hours of a District they understand that they all played a very im- and Darlene. staffer meeting with constituents at almost any portant part in keeping the offices running and Frances attended the Cherry Hill Elementary hour of day or night, Brian has done a great the constituents of the 7th Congressional Dis- School in Linden, Virginia. She married Bishop job. I wish him well in his new career at my trict happy. Eugene Baltimore in Front Royal, Virginia, and alma mater, St. Johns University. Mr. Speaker, again I congratulate and thank they relocated to Johnsontown, Jefferson Lizzy O'Hara has been my eyes and ears all of my staff for their many years of service. County, West Virginia. She and Eugene raised on issues relating to Ireland and Irish Ameri- I will miss them, as I will miss my colleagues five children, and ran a clean, tidy household cans. I take some small credit for helping and this great institution. of modest means. She had numerous skills, move along the peace process in Northern Ire- f many of which she passed on to her children, land, which culminated in the Good Friday Ac- including sewing, cooking, canning and pre- cord. My success in this regard owes much to HONORING LATVIAN serving, and decorating. She worked very hard the tenacity, gregariousness, and hard-work of INDEPENDENCE DAY to raise a proper family during the depression Lizzy. era. Elaine Simek, now a prominent securities HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH After her children were grown, Frances lawyer in New York, previously served as my OF OHIO moved to New York City where she received Legislative Director and my right-hand-woman IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES her GED and earned a Certificate of Comple- on Irish issues. Her dedication over the years tion in Geriatric Nursing. She lived and worked helped make the Congressional Ad-Hoc Cau- Tuesday, October 20, 1998 in New York for more than 20 years and was cus on Irish Affairs the successful organization Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to active in the lives of friends and family there. it is today. And, like me, she was able to hold recognize Cleveland's Latvian community in She later took up residence in Annapolis, down a full-time job while getting her law de- celebrating 80 years of independence. Lat- Maryland, in 1982, and became a member of gree at night school. vian-Americans have become an important her son Wilbert's church, the Holy Temple Ca- Bill Driscoll and Fran Kraft both served as part of this area, enriching it with their native thedral Church of God. my District Office Managers for many years. heritage and lively culture. Frances was the matriarch of a very tal- Their knowledge of the District and local poli- The Latvian Community in Cleveland traces ented family. Her offspring have gone on to tics kept me out of hot water more times than back its origins to 1897, when 28 families become successful professionals, many of I care to remember. formed the Emmanuel Lutheran Parish. At the whom earned advanced degrees and served