#i have to do a speech for this ceremony on behalf of my senior class and chairman towards younger ppl but also for anyone in general | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

trobwriter · 5 years

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A Hall of Fame kind of day

I had the amazing good fortune last week to induct my late parents, Theodore and Dorothy — Dorie and Dottie — into the Interboro school district’s hall of fame outside of Philadelphia.

It’s a heck of a thing, and a supremely proud moment for my family to see Mom and Dad immortalized — which is what a hall of fame does, after all — in such a way for their decades of helping to make their town, Prospect Park, a better place.

My nephew, and their first grandchild, Chip, nominated them for the honor, and the committee — which judges nominees’ resumes without names on them — elected to enshrine them this year along with a beloved former Interboro teacher and two former students who have gone on to great things.

Speaking of elections, my brother and sister chose me to speak for my parents and deliver an induction speech during a morning assembly at the high school for the senior class.

It was difficult in one way because the kids didn’t know my parents — Dad died in 2008 and Mom four years later — and you’re not sure how many wanted to even be there in the first place. Although it was an hour out of the classroom . . .

But I’m pleased to say they were an attentive and respectful audience, and that it was a blast for me to be back on a stage where I performed in the senior talent show 43 years (!) ago. That was back when we were the first class out of the “new” high school, and back when Dottie and Dorie still had 30 more good years to serve and build their community.

Anyway, I tried to bring them to life as best I could with my words. Here’s what I had to say:

“Good morning seniors! Good morning Interboro!

I’d like to thank alumni president Claire Reilly, the alumni officers and the board of directors for the work they do with the Interboro Hall of Fame. It’s important and inspirational work. Congratulations to them, and congratulations to today’s and the previous inductees.

I’m thrilled to be here accepting this incredible honor on behalf of my family and my parents, Theodore and Dorothy Robinson. Or as they were known by everybody, Dottie and Dorie.

My dad died in 2008, my mom in 2012. So let me tell you a little bit about why they are being honored today as hall of fame members of the Interboro community.

My dad lived in Prospect Park his whole life; he was literally born in a house on what’s now Lincoln Ave. My mom moved here from Maryland as a child. They were graduates of Prospect Park High School. My dad served in the Navy in two wars and delivered mail in Prospect Park for 37 years; he knew who lived at every address in town, and they knew him. He and my mom loved the borough and each other through 60 years of marriage.

But living in one place a long time isn’t why their grandson Chip nominated them for the hall of fame, and it’s not why the hall of fame committee selected them. It’s because they were completely INVESTED in this one place. Because they got INVOLVED in making this one place wonderful for everyone, over and over again.

It’s because they worked to make their community special, without ever making that work seem out of the ordinary. It’s just what they did and who they were. They knew the secret, which isn’t really much of a secret: You live somewhere, you participate, you build relationships that last a lifetime. It’s a simple formula that creates lives of loyalty, friendship and love.

And people truly loved Dottie and Dorie.

The list of my dad’s volunteer service is ridiculously long.

He co-founded the Prospect Park Youth club and actually helped build the clubhouse with his neighbors. Later, he was a baseball coach and even the groundskeeper.

He was commander of his American Legion post.

For years, he was president or parade marshal of the Fourth of July Association, planning the parade, the games and activities and the fireworks. A huge job.

At church, he sang in the choir, was a trustee, cut the grass, took out the trash, shoveled snow, played ping-pong with the minister — and along with my mom was the custodian.

For all this, Prospect Park honored him as its Citizen of the Year in 1999. That was a joy of which he and Mom, and we, were justifiably proud.

My mom was a 4-foot-11 ball of fire, Dorie’s unwavering support and our family’s rock. She never drove a car, so she either rode with my dad or she walked . . . all over town, rapidly, her tiny feet flying, often in trademark pink sneakers.

At Prospect Park Elementary, the kids knew her for more than 30 years as the “playground Miss,” monitoring the playground at recess after lunch. For her, going to school every day was a delight that was contagious, and at 4-11 she truly seemed among her people.

Over her years there, she especially enjoyed meeting the children of people she first knew as children. An injury forced her to retire late in life, or else I’m sure she’d have worked into her 80s.

Very active at church as well, she cleaned the pews, shoveled the snow with Dorie and was a deacon. And when election days rolled around, she could always be found across the street at Witmer Field in the youth club clubhouse, working the polls with her neighbors.

Mom and Dad would be astounded by their new home in the Interboro hall of fame, and they’d probably be a little perplexed as well. They were of a different generation, modest and unassuming. They’d wonder, why the fuss?

It’s because community servants like they were are too few and far between today. And it’s gratifying to know that, thanks to this hall of fame, their example of how to live a full, engaged life will be timeless.

Seniors, I hope this is your main take away from today’s ceremony. If you give in life, you get back in precious and countless ways.

We are so very proud.”

And so we are. So we are.

#Hall of Fame #Interboro #Prospect Park

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deniseyallen · 6 years

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Rob's Rundown: Week of December 17 - 22, 2017

This week, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, historic tax reform legislation that will help middle-class families, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers. Portman, who served as a conferee on the House-Senate conference committee, worked tirelessly to get this bill over the finish line on behalf of Ohio workers and families. The House and Senate passed the bill earlier this week. Also this week, Portman delivered the commencement address at Ohio State University, continued his birthday tradition of participating in a Habitat for Humanity build continued to highlight the scourge of opioid abuse in Ohio and push for solutions like the STOP Act, and more. For a more detailed look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:

Sunday, December 17

Portman Delivers Commencement Address at Ohio State University

On Sunday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) delivered the commencement address at Ohio State University’s graduation ceremony. Portman has been working to help expand access to college, make it more affordable for students, parents and families, and help new graduates get good jobs so that they can achieve financial independence and become debt-free. Portman also fought to preserve key tax incentives for undergraduate and graduate students in the final tax reform legislation.

Photos from his speech can be found here. Transcript of his speech can be found here and a video can be found here.

Tuesday, December 19

Before Historic Senate Vote, Portman Details How Tax Reform Will Help Middle Class, Boost Jobs, Increase Wages

In a speech on the Senate floor, Portman discussed the finalized House-Senate agreement on tax reform that was voted on in the Senate later in the evening. Portman, who served as a conferee on the House-Senate conference committee, discussed how the bill will help the middle class, create jobs, and boost wages for American workers.

Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman Praises Senate Passage of Historic Tax Cuts

Portman issued the following statement after the Senate passed historic tax cuts, which will help middle-class families, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers:

“For years, Republicans and Democrats alike have called for middle-class tax cuts and a more competitive tax code for American workers and businesses, and today Republicans are delivering on that promise. This bill will cut taxes for middle-class families, reform our business tax code to create more jobs and higher wages for Ohio workers, and update our international tax code to encourage jobs and investments in America. This is the first time Congress has passed comprehensive tax reform legislation in 31 years. I’d like to thank Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker Paul Ryan, Chairman Orrin Hatch, Chairman Kevin Brady, and all of my colleagues who were united by the desire to help the middle class and re-open the American economy as the best place in the world to do business. This plan is made in America, for America. By passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Congress is making good on its promise to help create a better economy and a brighter future.”

Wednesday, December 20

Portman Praises Authorization of Sale of Defensive Lethal Military Assistance for Ukraine

Portman, co-founder and chairman of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding media reports that the president has decided to approve lethal military equipment for Ukraine for the first time.

“Providing lethal weapons to Ukraine will send a clear message that America stands with the Ukrainian people in their nearly four year struggle to secure a democratic, prosperous, and independent future for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. This decision--while long overdue--will reverse the Obama administration's de facto arms embargo against Ukraine and will finally allow Ukraine to access the tools it needs to defend itself. As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and author of several provisions authorizing expanded U.S. military assistance--including lethal aid--and establishing the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, I hope that this decision opens the door to the full implementation of the bipartisan legislation Congress has already passed to help the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russian aggression."

NOTE: Portman, who received the Ukrainian-American community’s highest honor, the Shevchenko Freedom Award, has long led the effort to provide Ukraine the kind of assistance necessary to ward off Russian aggression and maintain its territorial integrity. The co-founder and co-chairman of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, Portman has visited Ukraine several times, including leading a Congressional election observation mission with Senator Ben Cardin during Ukraine's Presidential election in 2014. For the past three years, Portman has successfully introduced amendments to the annual National Defense Authorization Act that expanded U.S. military aid to Ukraine. These provisions helped build the primary statutory framework for U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. In addition, he has repeatedly written letters, delivered multiple floor speeches, and pressed? senior Administration officials on the importance of providing meaningful assistance to help Ukraine stand up to Russia's military aggression.

Thursday, December 21

In a New Video, Portman Highlights Historic Tax Reform Legislation Congress Recently Passed

On Thursday, Portman unveiled a new video highlighting the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, historic tax reform legislation that is on its way to the president’s desk. The once-in-a-generation legislation will help middle-class families, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers. Portman released the following statement on the tax reform bill:

“Our plan gives middle-class families a tax cut so they can keep more of their hard-earned money; it’s going to reform the business tax code to create more jobs and create higher wages while making American workers more competitive in the global marketplace; and it will level the playing field internationally, creating a fairer tax system that encourages jobs and investments to occur right here in this country rather than sending them overseas. This bill is made in America, for America, and I look forward to the president signing it into law soon.”

Portman Urges IRS to Move Quickly to Change Withholding Tables, Deliver Historic Tax Cuts

Following passage of historic tax cuts, Portman urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to move quickly to change its withholding tables and deliver these tax cuts as quickly as possible.

“On behalf of the hard-working Americans across the nation who are eager to see their paychecks reflect the benefits of this historic legislation,” Portman said in a letter to the IRS, “I request that you expedite any requisite updates to the relevant guidance on withholding.”

The full letter can be found here.

Portman Statement on CDC Report Confirming Significant Increase in Drug-Related Deaths

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control released its 2016 mortality data report which found that there were 63,632 drug-related deaths last year, an increase of 21 percent from 2015. The report shows that nationally, overdose rates are 19.8 per 100,000. In Ohio, the rate is double that at 39.1 per 100,000. In fact, Ohio ranked second among all states for drug-related deaths with fatalities taking 4,539 lives. Deaths specifically associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids doubled. U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) issued the following statement on the report and impact of the heroin and prescription drug epidemic:

“I’m saddened by new statistics from the CDC, which confirm that drug-related deaths continue to rise across the country and that fentanyl continues to be a primary driver in these deaths. With the rate of overdose deaths in Ohio double the national rate, this fight is personal for me and my fellow Ohioans. I will continue to fight in the new year for common-sense legislation like the STOP Act to help stop the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic drugs into the country and our local communities so that every American can reach their God-given potential. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill as quickly as possible.”

NOTE: Portman’s bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act will help stop dangerous drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers here in the United States. President Trump’s opioid commission endorsed the STOP Act in November. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has also endorsed the bill as well.

On Senate Floor, Portman Discusses Historic Tax Reform That Will Help Middle Class, Boost Jobs, Increase Wages

In a speech on the Senate floor, Portman discussed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, historic tax reform legislation that was signed into law by President Trump on Friday. Portman, who served as a conferee on the House-Senate conference committee, discussed how the bill will help the middle class, create jobs, and boost wages for American workers.

Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Portman Discusses Children’s Health Insurance Program, Need for Long-Term Funding Solution

In a speech on the Senate floor, Portman discussed the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the need for a long-term funding solution. CHIP has enjoyed wide bipartisan support in the past. The Senate Finance Committee, which Portman serves on, recently passed legislation that would fund CHIP for five years by a unanimous vote. Ohio has the 10th largest CHIP program, and 219,000 Ohio children—and nine million children nationwide—get health coverage through CHIP. Portman addressed the need for bipartisan cooperation to enact a long-term funding solution to help some the most vulnerable members of society, children in need.

Transcript of his remarks can be found here and a video can be found here.

Friday, December 22

Portman: Historic Tax Cuts Signed Into Law

Portman issued the following statement after President Trump signed into law historic tax cuts that were approved by the House and Senate this week:

“These historic tax cuts will make a real difference for middle-class families, create more jobs, and increase wages for Ohio workers. While our economy is improving, too many families today are still dealing with the middle-class squeeze of stagnant wages and higher expenses. Providing tax relief for middle-class families and reforming our business tax code to create more jobs and boost wages is the right thing to do, and I was proud to play a significant role in helping craft this measure. I’m pleased that we’re already seeing a positive response from employers rewarding their workers with better pay and bonuses while increasing their investments in their businesses and their communities. These historic tax cuts will help create a better economy and a better future for all Americans, and I’m pleased that they are now the law of the land.”

Senate Passes Portman Bill to Stop Unnecessary Printing of the Federal Register, Save Taxpayer Dollars

Portman announced that the Senate approved his Federal Register Printing Savings Act, legislation that would save taxpayer dollars by eliminating the mandatory daily printing and delivery of the Federal Register to congressional offices. He issued the following statement:

“This common-sense bill will save taxpayer dollars and make the federal government more efficient and effective. I am pleased that the Senate passed the measure unanimously and I will continue to work to get it signed into law.”

NOTE: The Federal Register Printing Savings Act is estimated to save $1 million annually by eliminating the daily printing and delivery of the Federal Register to congressional offices. A congressional office could still receive the federal register if they ask for it, but the Government Publishing Office would no longer proactively deliver it to offices. Portman’s measure (S. 1195) was approved by the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee in July. The Senate passed the House-passed version of Portman’s bill (H.R. 195) yesterday, with an additional measure attached, so it will go back to the House for passage once again before heading to the president’s desk.

Senate Passes Portman Legislation Giving Certainty to LED Manufacturers

Portman announced on Friday that the Senate has passed his External Power Supply (EPS) Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that will give needed certainty to Ohio LED manufacturers. Portman’s legislation will exempt the manufacturers of energy saving LEDs from an onerous Department of Energy regulation that could have curtailed or stopped production of LEDs. He issued the following statement:

“This bill will give needed certainty to Ohio’s LED manufactures from a regulation that was never intended to affect them. Now these Ohio made products will not have to fear future federal action that could have stopped production of these goods and threatened manufacturing jobs. I am pleased the bill is now on its way to the president’s desk and I look forward to it being signed into law.”

from Rob Portman http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/rob-s-rundown?ContentRecord_id=F79784C4-9E51-4EE0-A301-C0A59EE135FE

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