March 13, 2008

Reid Statement On Senator Metzenbaum

Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. Senate in memory of former Senator Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio, who died Wednesday at age 90:

“Last night, the Senate lost a dear friend, Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio.  Senator Metzenbaum was born in Cleveland to a family of modest means.  He came to understand the value of hard work from a young age.  As a 10-year-old, he delivered groceries.

“After winning admission to Ohio State University, he worked his way through college by doing just about any job you could imagine: selling flowers, playing trombone, selling magazines and razorblades, and renting bicycles.

“Senator Metzenbaum’s first big break came when he and a partner opened a parking lot at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport.  By 1970, his stake in a growing parking lot empire was worth millions.  Senator Metzenbaum was also a brilliant lawyer – a graduate of Ohio State law school who took on tough labor cases and represented working people in Ohio and throughout America.  After serving in the state legislature for eight years, Howard was elected to the United States Senate. 

“He became known as a firebrand from the very start – a fierce and passionate champion for the poor and disaffected.  Senator Metzenbaum’s wife, Shirley, and their four daughters, Barbara, Susan, Shelley and Amy, are in our thoughts today as we honor our colleague from Ohio.”

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