CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1915 HON
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December 12, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1915 Water funds, limiting resources for these vital HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK reliable; he is always there for the residents of repairs and breaking faith with our state and VENNER III Coventry when they need him. local partners on this collaborative effort. Following his graduation from Coventry High Chesapeake Bay clean-up is at a critical HON. MARCY KAPTUR School in 1970, Walter joined the United juncture. As state and local governments are OF OHIO States Navy. Upon returning home from a working to implement ambitious plans, the fed- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES four-year tour of duty he was hired as a Class eral government must maintain or increase its D Patrolman in his local police department. funding support, not cut it. Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Walter quickly proved his dedication to his Sequestration’s meat-ax approach jeopard- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, during the work by actively pursuing training and certifi- izes the years of planning and collaboration Christmas Season we remember people far cation courses. He continued to seek out ways that have led to this moment, arbitrarily and and near and reminisce about those who are to improve his service to the town throughout unwisely slowing progress on what should be no longer with us. I rise to remember Frank his career. This professionalism and diligence a national priority. We must replace sequestra- Venner, who passed from this life in the sum- allowed Walter to rise to the rank of Lieuten- tion with a balanced approach that includes mer of 2012 at age 85 years. ant in April, 1995. revenue increases and targeted cuts while Frank Venner was born March 8, 1927, in Throughout his time on the police force, Lt. maintaining investments in initiatives like Bay Baltimore, Maryland. After living in Providence, Solenski received many accolades and letters restoration that preserve our national re- Rhode Island and Binghamton, New York, the of gratitude from those whom he had helped. sources. The Chesapeake Bay is a national family moved to Toledo when Frank was a Coventry residents appreciated his timely re- treasure and an economic engine for the Bay teenager. He graduated from Central Catholic sponse and attention, especially to emergency states. It must not fall victim to sequestration’s High School in 1944 and from the University situations. Last summer he was chosen by a ill-advised cuts. of Notre Dame in 1949. He served in the Army local committee to be a parade marshal at Air Corps. Frank and his wife Ruth married in Coventry’s 300th Anniversary Parade- a testa- f 1952 and together raised six children. Their ment to his importance in the town. I ask that my colleagues join with me to HONORING THE SERVICE OF PASA- children, along with their eleven grandchildren, honor Lt. Walter Solenski and the work he did DENA CITY COUNCILMAN CHRIS were his pride and joy. While in college, Frank began working in for the people of Coventry. As he prepares for HOLDEN radio on the college station. Back in Toledo he his retirement with his wife Yvonne, I am con- embarked on a career over four decades in fident that Walter will continue to play an ac- HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF broadcasting. He started at WSPD, Toledo’s tive role in the community. His commitment to OF CALIFORNIA local radio and television station. Later, the tel- the Coventry Police Department and to his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES evision component became WTVG. Frank town will not soon be forgotten. Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Venner was a news fixture at the station, his f journalism respected in the community. His PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to signature features were the popular ‘‘Weather- honor Chris Holden for his 23 years of service in-the-Weather’’ show which was broadcast on the Pasadena, California, City Council. A from atop the former Commodore Perry Hotel, HON. ADAM SMITH graduate of Pasadena High School and San the High School Quiz program which he OF WASHINGTON Diego State University, Chris was a basketball hosted for a quarter century, and the Venner- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES star in school and played professionally over- Ward Report which he co-anchored with an- Wednesday, December 12, 2012 seas. He then returned to California to give other longtime Toledo newsman Gordon Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on back to his community by spending the great Ward. Mr. Ward recalled, ‘‘Integrity was pri- majority of his life in serving the city he loves. Friday, November 30, 2012, I was unable to mary in all that he did. His word was his be present for recorded votes due to illness. He was first elected to the Pasadena City bond.’’ Frank Venner also served as editorial Council in 1989 at the age of 28 as the young- Had I been present, I would have voted: ‘‘yes’’ director and news director at the station. on vote No. 612 (on the motion to recommit est member of the Council, and served until Frank Venner’s imprimatur on Toledo news he resigned in November 2012, upon his elec- H.R. 6429 with instructions); and ‘‘no’’ on vote is solid. A true journalist, his impact on tele- No. 613 (on passage of H.R. 6429). tion to the California State Assembly. In 1997, vision from its earliest days into the 21st cen- f Chris was chosen by his colleagues to serve tury is remarkable. He leaves a lasting legacy. a two-year term as Mayor of Pasadena, the He was a man who often reported what others RECOGNIZING LISA SANTERAMO first African-American man to hold that posi- did, but also went beyond his profession and tion. left our community and its institutions stronger HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP During his years on the City Council, Chris for his presence. His resonant voice became OF NEW YORK served his Pasadena district with distinction, synonymous with Toledo. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES championing efforts to establish a living wage A more important legacy is his family. His Wednesday, December 12, 2012 in Pasadena, crack down on slumlords, create presence will be missed by his children and drug-free zones, and bring development, jobs, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Yet, he Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I and services to Northwest Pasadena. Chris lives on in them and in the media he was so am proud to rise to recognize a departing has also been a strong supporter of deregula- much a part of shaping. member of my original district staff, Lisa tion of Pasadena’s municipal utility, a leader of f Wieber Santeramo. charter reform that created a city-wide elected Since I opened my first district office in mayor, and a proponent of policies and IN HONOR OF THE LT. WALTER Coram, New York, Lisa has distinguished her- projects that have revitalized Pasadena, such SOLENSKI self as among the most competent and hard as the Paseo Colorado, Old Pasadena, and working members of my staff. Over the course the Pasadena Convention Center. HON. JOE COURTNEY of this past decade, I watched her develop His service as a long-time Board member of OF CONNECTICUT and rise from a staff assistant answering the the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Au- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES telephones at my reception desk to her ulti- thority and supporter of the creation and ex- mate position as the highest ranking member pansion of the Los Angeles to Pasadena Gold Wednesday, December 12, 2012 of my district staff, District Office Director. Line clearly demonstrates his commitment to Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Lisa was born and raised in Holbrook. She the entire region. to recognize the career of a beloved officer of attended Sachem High School, the largest I know that Chris will be missed in Pasa- the Coventry Police Department. Lt. Walter high school in the township, where she first dena City Hall, but I am pleased that he has Solenski will retire on December 31, 2012 developed her talent for public affairs as a chosen to bring his unique talents on our be- after 37 years of service to his town. A lifetime leader in student government. She brought her half to Sacramento. I join my colleagues in resident of Coventry, Connecticut, Walter’s enthusiasm and passion for leadership to my thanking Chris for his service and wish he, his compassionate attention to the community is first campaign and to my congressional office wife Melanie, and their children, Nicholas, known by young and old. Police Chief Mark after graduating from Stony Brook University Alexander, Austin, Mariah, and Noah the best Palmer described Lt. Solenski as an ‘‘every where she was also involved in student lead- in this new chapter of their lives. day hero.’’ He is someone who is steady and ership. While an undergraduate at Stony VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:16 Dec 13, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A12DE8.010 E12DEPT1 pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with E1916 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 12, 2012 Brook, Lisa spent a semester interning with supervised 20 officers of which only two or his wife Jean raised five daughters. His family Minority Leader Gephardt. three were African American. He had a rep- was most precious to him. Having skillfully proved her ability to man- utation of fairness. Jean worked with the City of Toledo in for- age casework and the many important respon- Felmers Chaney was elected president of estry, and then began a career with the To- sibilities of my constituent services operation, the NAACP—Milwaukee Branch where he ledo Area Metroparks.