Addendum to Recent Columns
This is an addendum to my recent columns from the past two months.
Regarding my column Profiles in Courage, Profiles in Cowardice, I wish to add a Profile in Courage to Representative Anthony Gonzales who represents the 16th district in the House of Representatives. He is a Republican first elected in 2018 and re-elected last November. When the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump for his actions in inciting the riot at the Capitol building on January 6 2021, Rep. Gonzales bucked his party leaders and voted to impeach Trump.
For that act of courage in doing the right thing, he has already attracted a Trump endorsed challenger in the Republican primary election in 2022. In an email to the people of the 16th district, he explained why he made that decision. That was an act of courage that is rare among politicians in this age. He has earned my respect and might earn my vote.
Regarding Visiting our History; one historic site nearby that I omitted due to space restrictions was one that many readers have visited. That is the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Monument on Put-in-Bay. It celebrates a naval victory over the British fleet in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10 1813 during the War of 1812. It also commemorates over 200 years of peace between the United States, Canada and Great Britain. The flags of all three nations fly every day at that monument, all equally on their flagpoles. It is the only place in the United States where the flags of those three nations fly at the same time all the time.
Lee Kamps
Lee has been working with Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance since he began working at the Erie County Welfare Department in January 1973 where a major part of his job was determining eligibility for Medicaid. He went into the private insurance business in 1977 with Prudential Insurance Company and within a short time had become one of the company’s top sales agents. In 1982, he was promoted into management where he managed two field offices and as many as thirteen sales agents. After leaving Prudential in 1986, Lee decided to become more focused on health insurance and employee benefits. He has advised many local employers on how to have a more cost effective employee benefit program as well as conducted employee benefit meetings and enrollments for many area employers. The companies Lee has worked with ranged from small “mom and pop” businesses to local operations of large national companies. Lee received his B.S. degree from Kent State University where he has been active in the local alumni association. He has completed seven of the ten courses toward the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. He has taught courses in employee benefits and insurance at Cleveland State University and local community colleges. In addition, Lee is an experienced and accomplished public speaker. He has been a member of Toastmasters International where he achieved the designation of “Able Toastmaster – Silver” in 1994. He has also served as a club president, Area Governor and District Public Relations Officer in Toastmasters as well as winning local speech contests. Lee has also been a member of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association’s Speaker’s Bureau where he was designated as one of the “official spokespeople for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” prior to the hall’s opening in 1995. He has given talks and presentations before many audiences including civic organizations, AARP chapters and many other community groups. With the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare drug bill) in 2006, Lee has shifted his focus to Medicare and helping Medicare beneficiaries navigate the often confusing array of choices and plans available. As an independent representative, Lee is not bound to any one specific company or plan, but he can offer a plan that suits an individual person’s needs and budget. In addition, Lee is well versed in the requirements and availability of various programs for assistance with Medicare part D as well as Medicaid. While he cannot make one eligible, he can assist in the process and steer one to where they may be able to receive assistance.