[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE RONALD K. MACHTLEY

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding Member of the House of Representatives who will be leaving 
this body at the end of the year, Ron Machtley.
  Ron has been an effective Representative of the people of the First 
District of Rhode Island since coming to Congress in 1988. He was the 
first Republican to fill that seat in over 40 years. Before coming to 
Congress Ron worked in private practice and was instrumental in the 
revitalization of Newport. He served his country in the United States 
Navy and continues to serve as a Captain in the United States Naval 
Reserves.
  Ron has worked tirelessly for the people of Rhode Island and has 
served with distinction on the House Armed Services and Small Business 
Committees. Ron introduced legislation that sought to allocate defense 
conversion funds to States that have been hardest hit by defense budget 
cuts. He also introduced legislation to offer employers tax credits to 
encourage the hiring of unemployed defense workers. Always sensitive to 
the disenfranchised and struggling small business person, he introduced 
legislation to reduce prepayment penalties on small businesses seeking 
to get out from underneath high interest rates on these loans.
  Few Members have represented their constituents with such devotion 
and purpose. Returning every weekend to his district, Ron remained what 
he began his political life as, a citizen Congressman. It has been a 
privilege to know him and work with him.
  I wish Ron, his wife Kati, and their children a rich and full life in 
the years ahead. I will miss him as a colleague and friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. 
Machtley].
  Mr. MACHTLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, my time here compared to our minority leader's and 
others has been a nanosecond. But as I have marched in this army of 
great patriots, as I have felt the spirit of the 10,000 Americans who 
have served in this House, I have been honored to serve. This is truly 
the People's House. As I have served here, I have always tried to 
remember where I came from, I have always tried to remember what my 
duties are as a Congressman to protect this country's constitutional 
rights. I have always tried to remember something that I think is 
important, where I will return.
  As I leave here with great memories and with great friends, I thank 
the people of Rhode Island who have given me this honor, I thank the 
great friends who I have served with here, and I wish them fair winds 
and following seas. Our country needs you great leaders to do the 
things which are necessary as we go into the 21st century.
  God bless you all and thank you for this experience.

                          ____________________