Tribute to Vicky Mroczek

TRIBUTE TO VICKY MROCZEK

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a remarkable woman-a woman who devoted herself to improving the lives of those often overlooked in our society-the elderly and the poor. The State of Ohio lost one of its most dynamic and compassionate public servants with the passing of Vicky Mroczek on September 28, 2003.

Vicky Mroczek dedicated over 20 years of her career to public service in Ohio, most recently serving as the Chief of the Office of Community Services in the Ohio Department of Development. Since 1985, she administered Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program, a federally funded program that helps low-income households manage their energy bills. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Ohio Consumer's counsel, representing Ohio's residential customers in utility matters. She also served on the Board of the Central Ohio Transit Authority.

Vicky was also a prominent figure at the national level, working on creative and innovative approaches to helping low-income households afford essential energy services. She served as Chair of the National Low-Income Energy Consortium from 1993 until her death. She also served as Chair of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association from 1990 through 1992.

Vicky Mroczek was an engaging and dynamic public speaker, someone who could engage audiences from the cities to the farms, in local settings to national forums, reaching utility clients, utility executives, and everyone in between. She led with grace, fairness, and most of all, compassion. Her service and dedication to the citizens of Ohio and to low-income families across our Nation is a model to us all. She will be missed.

Vicky's husband of 24 years, George Diehl; her mother Phyllis Mroczek; and her sister, Michelle Mroczek, remain in our thoughts and prayers.