Boehner Column: Serving Ohio's 8th District is all about the People

Statement

Today, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released the following column discussing his Ohio guests for the 2013 State of the Union Address:

"Recently, several blogs used a Flickr photo of me in my U.S. Capitol office to compile lists of the "most interesting things' on my desk. Clearly, it must have been a slow news day.

"My daily devotional made one list, as did a miniature statue of St. Peter, my copy of a history of beer-making in Over-the-Rhine, and a framed cartoon from the New Yorker of two shepherds watching in awe as a kid successfully herds a group of cats. On tough days, I can relate with those shepherds.

"All kidding aside, the best part about my job is -- without a doubt -- the people. From small business owners and veterans to doctors and school kids, there's not a day when I don't meet someone new.

"Prior to President Obama's State of the Union Address, I visited Cincinnati State Middletown and Vinylmax in Hamilton to listen to students, employees, and local leaders. These meetings are just one of the many ways -- along with email, Facebook and my Twitter account (@SpeakerBoehner) -- I stay connected and engaged in helping expand opportunity for people in southwest Ohio.

"The following day, I was honored to host a number of special guests in Washington for the State of the Union Address, including Ohio Rep. Ross McGregor and Jason Barlow, both of Clark County. In addition to representing Ohio's 79th District, Rep. McGregor also runs a local small business -- Pentaflex. Jason serves as President of UAW Local 402 and is employed at Navistar trucking, a major employer in Ohio's Eighth Congressional District.

"From the Dayton and the Piqua area, I was joined by Dr. Anne Eiting Klamar, President and CEO of Midmark, a leading medical and dental device manufacturer in Dayton, and State Board of Education Member and Chair of Edison Community College's Board of Trustees Darryl Mehaffie.

"And from Liberty Township, I was glad to be joined by friends John and Trish McCaffrey and their son Don. The McCaffreys are active members of the community, and belong to the St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church.

"But I think everyone would agree that former Reds bat boy Ted Kremer stole the show.

"Thirty years ago, Ted's parents, Dave and Cheryl, were told by doctors that their newborn son with Down Syndrome probably wouldn't ever talk or smile. Ted's parents never gave up, and he's been defying expectations ever since.

"Today, Ted not only talks, he swims, takes dance classes, plays softball, and rides horses. He also smiles. A lot.

"As many know, Ted captured the heart of the Reds -- and all of Cincinnati -- last September when he joined the team as bat boy for a day. Upon discovering Ted's story, Enquirer reporter John Erardi wrote "the remarkable thing wasn't that Teddy Kremer retrieved bats and foul balls and brought baseballs to the home plate umpire, it is that he did it with such aplomb, gusto and unbridled joy.'

"As I stood behind the president looking out across the assembled Members and guests, I saw Ted smiling and waving from the first row of the House Gallery -- his face full of that same enthusiasm that inspired the Reds dugout.

"It was a great reminder that each and every American is truly capable of doing amazing things."

Boehner represents Ohio's 8th District, which includes all of Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami, and Preble counties, and the southernmost part of Mercer County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.

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