Jennings remembered for dedication to children

Jennings remembered for dedication to children
EDITOR:
Robert Jennings' friends and constituents over many years received with sadness the announcement of his death. As recently detailed in a Vindicator article, Robert Jennings made a lasting impression on his ward and the city through his many carefully planned and earnestly promoted projects. From the beginning of his service on Youngstown City Council, I had the good fortune to know first-hand his careful attention to detail, and his success in securing services for his First Ward. I was impressed with his deep interest in children, beginning with the granddaughter he raised and his great-granddaughter, who enrolled in Millcreek Children's Center when she was three.
Mr. Jennings was always attentive to requests I made for needed services for Millcreek Children's Center, but he went much further. He used his political know-how to get legislation to demolish deteriorated buildings in the vicinity, to close off alleys and streets to improve the area and to secure funding for services for people who couldn't speak for themselves. He was known for his faithfulness to neighborhood watch groups and attendance at civic and charitable events. Mr. Jennings attended every important event at Millcreek Children's Center -- our groundbreaking in 1992, dedication in 1993, mortgage burning in 1996, and dedication of our Play 'N Learn Room in 1998. At Christmas parties with Santa, graduations and carnivals for the children, Mr. Jennings was present and smiling. The children and parents knew of his dedication first-hand.
Robert Jennings was exemplary in attention to his civic and political duties. We appreciated him in life; we honor him in death.
SISTER JEROME CORCORAN, Ph.D.
Youngstown
X Sister Jerome is the executive director of Millcreek Children's Center.
Pass H.R. 808 to save steel workers' jobs, retirement
EDITOR:
We all can't be doctors. How true that expression is for me as well for others in this Valley.
Out of high school, I tried a few occupations. I am a licensed hairdresser, I've been a Teamster, and now I am a member of the United States Steelworkers of America. I found my niche in life. I enjoy working with my hands and being able to see the results of my labor. All have taken hard work.
I am truly concerned with the U.S. government's unwillingness to stop illegal dumping of foreign steel into our country. Thousands of people who have worked hard to reach retirement and enjoy it will suffer. U.S. workers can't compete with the illegally dumped steel. They are in danger of losing their jobs; retired workers, their benefits.
I think it is time to stand up for American companies and American workers.
There is a bill in Congress that would help American steel companies get back on their feet. It would help save all of our benefits for those of us who are working as well as our retired brothers and sisters. I support it and hope my representatives in Congress will too.
At a time when it is hard to land a good job and a struggle to meet basic needs, the U.S. government is letting steel be illegally dumped into this country, costing thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs. How can we sit by and let this happen to our hard working American workers?
What about our future? If steel dumping continues, what do we have to look forward to -- minimum wage jobs? What happened to making a decent wage, becoming a part of the middle class of this country and being proud of it?
What will happen when I retire? Will I have to worry about losing my retirement benefits and health care coverage due to illegal trade practices that I have no control over?
I ask you to help the young and old alike by asking your member of Congress to support H.R. 808, a bill that will help save the steel industry and protect the hard-earned benefits of all steel workers.
DENISE M. SCHULTE-HADDLE
Youngstown
X The writer is recording secretary of USWA Local 1618.