[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22482] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN RECOGNITION OF LOREE SOGGS ______ HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 5, 2006 Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the contributions of Mr. Loree Soggs to both Cleveland and Ohio. Mr. Soggs has been a member of and advocate for unions since he entered the workforce over 40 years ago. He has also serves the community diligently through his extensive civic participation. Mr. Soggs entered his union as an operating engineer, and he has served his IUOE Local 18 as a business agent, apprenticeship coordinator, steward director, officer and fringe benefit fund trustee. In 1994, Mr. Soggs was elected to the office of executive secretary for Cleveland's Building and Construction Trades Council, being the first operating engineer to hold this office in the council's history. He has successfully negotiated numerous contracts fighting for the betterment of working men and women within the community. He further supports the realm of labor by serving as president of the North Shore Federation of Labor, vice president of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council, executive director of the Northern Ohio Building Trades Real Estate Investment Program, trustee of the Union Construction Industry Partnership, and serves as a board member on four other labor related organizations. The civic realm has benefited equally from Mr. Soggs' years of dedicated work. As an advocate for senior citizens, he strives to improve the quality of life of the elderly, specifically focusing on housing efforts. He is very politically involved, serving on the executive committee of the Cuyahoga Democratic Party and as a board member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Due to his civic dedication, Mr. Soggs is being honored by the State of Israel Bonds for his values and ideals rooted in democracy, and the inalienable rights of working men and women. Mr. Soggs' work is rooted in his bachelor of arts degree from Defiance College, as well as the support from his wife, Barbara, and their five children. Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues, please join me in celebration of the efforts of Mr. Loree Soggs to the labor and civic communities in Ohio. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, and will surely multiply and reach new levels of excellence in the upcoming years. ____________________