[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ''SONNY'' RESSEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to pay 
tribute to the memory of William (Sonny) Ressel.
  Sonny Ressel was neither a politician nor someone who took on the 
responsibility of helping others because of some ulterior motive. 
Despite working long hours, Sonny Ressel always found time for his 
family and the community that he loved.
  Before his untimely death on February 8th, Sonny Ressel served as the 
Co-President of the New Kensington Neighborhood Association where he 
strove to improve his neighbor's quality of life.
  Sonny Ressel was a man of action who dedicated his life to helping 
others regardless of who they were. Through his efforts, broken streets 
and traffic lights in Kensington were quickly repaired. In response to 
a growth in the number of hearing impaired residents in the community, 
Sonny secured the installation of ``Deaf People Crossing'' signs 
alerting motorists that some pedestrians would be unable to hear their 
horns.
  With his loving wife Ricki, Sonny Ressel helped the old and the 
infirm of our community. They did this by making people laugh and 
reminding them that they were not forgotten.
  Friends and admirers have likened Sonny Ressel to an angel who was 
put on earth to help others and to spread happiness. I can think of no 
better tribute for a man who always rose to the challenge of helping 
meet the needs of others.
  Sonny Ressel was an innovator and beacon of good will to all those he 
came into contact with. On behalf of myself and my constituents, I 
would like to extend my condolences to the Ressel family on Sonny's 
untimely passing and to thank them for allowing us to share in the 
bright light that was his life.

                          ____________________