Moment of Silence in Memory of the Honorable Tom Sawyer
Floor Speech
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Mrs. SYKES. Madam Speaker, today, we honor a former Member of this body, a lifelong servant to the people of Akron and Summit County, and my friend, Tom Sawyer.
Tom died this week following a long illness, and I first want to extend my sincere and deepest sympathies to his wife, Joyce, his daughter Amanda, and all who knew and loved him.
In 1986, then-city of Akron Mayor Tom Sawyer launched his campaign for Congress. A constituent shared with me that my father was at that announcement, but he had to leave early to meet my mother, who was at the hospital after she had just delivered me. We were on our way home.
Tom was the last person from Akron to serve in this body of Congress, and I am honored to follow in his footsteps and his legacy as a Member of Congress from the city of Akron, the Birthplace of Champions, of course.
Tom was born and raised in our hometown of Akron, and he dedicated his life to our community through nearly 50 years of service, including as an English teacher, mayor of Akron, State representative, State school board member, and Congressperson serving in this Chamber.
A proud graduate of Buchtel High School and the University of Akron, Tom was a champion for our school system and made it his mission to ensure every student in northeast Ohio had access to high-quality education and an opportunity to succeed.
While we were members of the Ohio State legislature, I had the opportunity to work alongside Tom to represent the city of Akron and watched his commitment to the people of our community. He was a staunch advocate for Medicaid expansion, our public schools, and ending partisan gerrymandering.
In fact, Tom and I were also neighbors. We lived on the same street, and we served each other in the legislature, yet we were represented by two different Members of Congress.
I will sincerely miss my friend, my mentor, my neighbor, and a true, dedicated public servant, Tom Sawyer.
Without a doubt, former Congressman Sawyer left a mark on Akron, the State of Ohio, and this country. His impact will always be felt in these Halls and the city of Akron and across the country.
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