October 24, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2235 This was the largest deployment of the (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Rep- HONORING FORMER Alaska National Guard since World War II and resentatives to transmit a copy of this reso- CONGRESSMAN CHARLES VANIK thankfully all 586 guardsmen who were de- lution to the Adjutant General of the Alaska National Guard for appropriate display. ployed overseas returned home safely. Many of these guardsmen had never left Alaska HON. MARCY KAPTUR prior to joining the National Guard, but none f OF OHIO hesitated to serve their country. HONORING FORMER As I told the National Guardsmen at their CONGRESSMAN CHARLES VANIK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES welcome home ceremony at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, ‘‘You can’t support the troops un- Wednesday, October 24, 2007 less you respect them. And I humbly respect HON. BETTY SUTTON OF OHIO Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, it is my you because you have done your job as you honor to pay tribute to a fellow Ohioan, Char- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES were charged to do so, and as volunteers. lie Vanik, who served honorably for 26 years You left your families and you went forth and Wednesday, October 24, 2007 in this House. accomplished what you were taught to do.’’ Ms. SUTTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today I truly believe that the importance of the Na- Charlie passed away last month at the age with a heavy heart to pay tribute to former tional Guard to our country cannot be over- of 94, and I thank the gentlewoman from Congressman Charles Vanik, who served his stated, which is why it is important that we Cleveland for organizing this special order in constituents with honor and integrity in this honor these citizen-soldiers. For this reason I his memory. body for 26 years. am introducing the following resolution to On behalf of the people of Ohio’s 13th Dis- Charlie Vanik was a beautiful person. In honor these Guardsmen for their outstanding many ways, he was the quintessential Cleve- service to our country. trict, I want to express my deepest sympathies to his wife of 62 years, Betty Best Vanik, their lander—born of Czechoslovakian ancestry, he H. CON. RES. 240 two children, John Vanik and Phyllis Vanik, his represented Cleveland’s east side and eastern Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry two grandchildren and the rest of the Vanik suburbs and did so with distinction and with of the Alaska Army National Guard deploy- class. He was learned and determined. As ment of almost 600 Alaskans was the largest family. deployment of the Alaska National Guard We have lost a man who dedicated his life Dick Feigler, the well-known journalist in since World War II; to serving our great State and this great coun- Cleveland said of Charlie, ‘‘It was all about Whereas the Alaskans of the 3rd Battalion, try. Prior to being elected to Congress in hard work and humility.’’ Charlie Vanik was a 297th Infantry came from 80 different com- 1954, Congressman Vanik served on the showman, but he wasn’t a showoff. He was munities across Alaska; Cleveland City Council, in the Ohio State Sen- charming and he was humble. Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry included 75 soldiers from New York, Mis- ate and as a Cleveland municipal judge. He He threw himself into public service with a sissippi, Illinois, Georgia and Puerto Rico; also served in the Navy during World War II. style and gusto that his constituents enjoyed Whereas the 586 soldiers of the 3rd Bat- In Congress, he earned a reputation as and appreciated. He took his responsibilities talion, 297th Infantry were mobilized in July savvy legislator and a tireless advocate for the seriously, but he didn’t take himself seriously. of 2006 and deployed to Camp Shelby, Mis- people of northeast Ohio. His 1974 amend- He rose to a position of prominence on the sissippi; ment to the Trade Reform Bill is widely re- Ways and Means Committee. In fact, he be- Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry membered for forcing the Soviet Union to was deployed to Camp Navstar and Camp came chairman of the trade subcommittee. Buehring in Northern Kuwait; allow fair treatment and increased emigration of Soviet Jews. This accomplishment had a But make no mistake: Charlie Vanik never Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry sold out. He never succumbed to the seduc- courageously performed route and perimeter significant impact on American-Soviet rela- security missions, mounted combat patrols tions. tion of what the pundits call ‘‘Gucci Gulch.’’ and inspections and searches of vehicles And Congressman Vanik was ahead of his Charlie never forgot where he came from: going into Iraq from Kuwait, among other times on civil rights, sacrificing his own con- 55th and Broadway had a different values set assignments; gressional seat in 1968 so that Louis Stokes than Gucci Gulch. Still does. Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, over the course of 15 months in Kuwait and could become Ohio’s first African American So Charlie Vanik fought tooth and nail Iraq, inspected and searched over 30,000 semi- Congressman. against tax loopholes for big business. He trucks; But Charles Vanik was so well-regarded in never forgot where he came from. Charlie Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry northeast Ohio that voters from the neigh- Vanik may have retired from Congress, but his designed all force protection plans in north- boring district would not stand for him leaving heart and mind kept working for America ev- ern Kuwait; this House, and they chose to send him to eryday. Whereas the families of the members of the Congress instead of the Representative who 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry have provided On a regular basis, I would get phone calls had served for nearly 30 years. Congressman unwavering support while waiting patiently from Charlie, just to say hello. He was never Vanik returned to Congress and continued to for their loved ones to return; representing a client for monetary compensa- work with Congressman Stokes and others to Whereas the employers of members and tion—he always just kept working for America, family members of the 3rd Battalion, 297th advocate for the people of Ohio. and wanted to share his great ideas. He gave Infantry have displayed patriotism over Although I did not have the privilege of serv- away his ideas—MARCY, he would say, Con- profit, by keeping positions saved for the re- ing in the House with Congressman Vanik, I gress needs more strong voices to protect turning soldiers and supporting the families am honored to follow in his footsteps as a during the difficult days of this long deploy- consumers in our nation, or on another occa- public servant and a voice for the people of ment, and these employers are great cor- sion he would call to remind me to replace the Ohio. porate citizens through their support of sand on the public beaches of the Great It is truly an honor to stand on the Floor of members of the Armed Forces and their fam- Lakes that had either washed away or been the House of Representatives, where Charles ily members; used by construction companies over the Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry Vanik stood for so many years fighting for years. Early on in my career, he advised me has performed admirably and courageously; northeast Ohio, to celebrate his life and his to visit many of the foreign embassies located gaining the gratitude and respect of Alas- accomplishments. kans and all Americans; and in Washington to link to diplomats and schol- And it is wonderful to hear so many touch- Whereas members of the 3rd Battalion, ars. He shared his love of life, and always 297th Infantry received 7 Bronze Stars, 23 ing stories about the memories my colleagues have of him and the influence he had on this called with an enthusiasm that revealed his Meritorious Service Medals, 142 Army Com- joyful, encouraging and caring nature. His hu- mendations and more than 200 Army House and its Members. Achievement Medals for their outstanding Although Congress, the United States, and manity was underscored by the manner in service: Now, therefore, be it the State of Ohio have lost a great statesman, which he watched over his wife as she be- Resolved by the House of Representatives (the he has been outlived by his legacy, and I am came ill. He never lost his way. Senate concurring), That Congress— confident that we will continue to fondly recall His name was attached to one of the land- (1) commends the 3rd Battalion, 297th In- fantry of the Alaska Army National Guard Charles Vanik and the great work he did for mark pieces of legislation from the Cold War upon its completion of deployment and brave years to come. era: the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. In truth, service to the Commonwealth of Alaska and Again, I want to express my condolences to Senator Henry Jackson and Representative the citizens of the United States; and the Vanik family. Charlie Vanik were actually ahead of their VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:46 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\E24OC7.REC E24OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE.