[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E75-E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     IN MEMORY OF MR. WALTER RHULEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor the life of Walter Rhulen of Sullivan County NY, who has passed 
away after decades of dedication to his business, his community and 
family.
  Walter Rhulen was a man of many exceptional qualities. His business 
sense helped him build an insurance empire, worth more than a billion 
dollars, out of his family company. With his dedication to Sullivan 
County he personally helped to make for it a better place. Walter 
Rhulen spent his life giving his spirit, ideas and his financial 
support Sullivan County, changing it forever.
  Walter Rhulen's work touched the lives of thousands of his neighbors. 
He was committed to the Sullivan County region and to its people. Even 
after his business's great success he kept its headquarters in his home 
town, showing his dedication to the home he loved.
  Mr. Rhulen helped to bring better health care to his neighbors by 
campaigning for a new hospital. With his leadership and financial 
support he helped to open the new Community General Hospital. This 
modern facility provided better health care for the entire region.
  Mr. Rhulen also helped to create and fund a scholarship fund for 
Sullivan Community College students.
  Walter Rhulen has provided the residents of my Congressional district 
with an invaluable service. His love for our region was remarkable and 
estimable. With the death or Walter Rhulen our community lost much more 
than a resident. We lost a role model and a great man. His dedication 
was exemplary and will not be forgotten or underappreciated.

[[Page E76]]

  Walter Rhulen was of tremendous assistance to me as a member of my 
Congressional Economic Advisory Committee. There he demonstrated his 
concern of regional affairs, and was always eager to share his vast 
wealth of experience with us.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to his widow, Judith 
Schmid Rhulen and his children, Suzanne Laughlin and Harry, Erik and 
Anthony Rhulen for their loss on such a tragic occasion.

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