Tribute to Lewis and Jean Moore

TRIBUTE TO LEWIS AND JEAN MOORE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to two Ohioans who dedicated their lives to serving their local community of Urbana. Lewis B. Moore passed away on October 21, 2002, at the age of 91. His wife, Jean, passed away on September 12, 2001. I would like to take a few moments to reflect here today on this couple's legacy of service and the mark they left on the people of Urbana.

Lewis Moore-Lew to his friends-was born in Paducah, KY, on July 23, 1911. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1929 and from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland in 1933 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He married Jean Lillian Wenger in 1938, and they moved to Urbana in 1940, where Lew joined Grimes Manufacturing Company as a sales engineer. Later he served as chief engineer, sales manager, and vice president before eventually becoming president and board chairman.

Under Lew's leadership, the company grew from 12 to more than 1,300 employees. As president, he served as a mentor to many and as an example to all. If there were ever a disagreement with a customer, Lew used to tell his employees to always be honest with the customers. He would say: "Tell them the truth-tell them what happened." Indeed, Lew Moore was a model of integrity.

Together, Lew and Jean's values and visions for the future changed Urbana. Lew eventually ran for public office and served as Mayor of Urbana from 1980 to 1991. Under his leadership, Urbana underwent some big changes in the city government. Known affectionately as "Mr. Urbana," Mayor Moore transformed the City of Urbana from a statutory system into a charter form of government-one of the most important of his contributions to the city government, noted Larry Wolke, former director of administration. According to David Martin, former Grimes employee and current Urbana City Council president, "He had the best interests of the city and the citizens of Urbana in his heart and mind."

Working side-by-side with Lew to serve the Urbana community, Jean participated in the campaign that created the city's first youth center and organized and led her church's Prayer Connection. As one Prayer Connection member, Jack Neer, said of Jean, "She was there for anyone in need."

No better illustration of their commitment to the interests and community of Urbana is found, however, than in Lew and Jean's involvement with the University of Urbana, where Lew served as building fundraiser and Jean served on the board of trustees for more than 35 years. Through much of their lifetimes, Lew and Jean dedicated much of their time and resources to expanding and improving the institution. As Dr. Robert Head, Urbana University president said, "It is not an overstatement to say that if it hadn't been for Lew and Jean Moore, Urbana University would not be here today."

Together, Jean and Lew spearheaded several campaigns to raise funds to enhance the university. In one project, they helped raise $400,000 to build the Warren G. Grimes Community Center. In the early 1990's, Lew co-chaired efforts to raise funds for the math and science center-a project totaling $3.1 million. According to Dr. Francis Hazard, former University president, "When no one else stepped forward to head the campaign, they volunteered." He added that as the campaign neared its end and the structure had been completed, Moore cashed in a $75,000 insurance policy to furnish its classrooms and laboratories.

Lew and Jean Moore were selfless. They loved their community-their family, their friends, and their neighbors. It is no wonder the Urbana community affectionately refers to Lew as "Mr. Urbana." Throughout their lives, they were devoted to their community. And through their service, Lew and Jean Moore provided a vision for Urbana's future. That is their legacy. We certainly miss them both deeply.

My wife Fran and I continue to remember Lew, and we continue to remember Jean. They were both great friends. Left to cherish their memories and to pass on this legacy are their sons, Keith and Greg, and their wonderful families.

We thank both Lew and Jean for their wonderful service to their community.