[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RONALD ANSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor to the fine work 
and outstanding public service of a true philanthropist, Mr. Ronald 
Ansin. On this Saturday, Ron will receive the 1999 National Alexis de 
Tocqueville Society Award for Community Service, United Way of 
America's highest honor given for volunteer service.
  A native of central Massachusetts, Ron graduated from Harvard College 
cum laude in 1955 and continued his education at Yale Law School 
graduating in 1958. Both a civic and business leader in Massachusetts, 
Ron heads two successful companies, the Anwelt Corporation in 
Fitchburg, Massachusetts and L.B. Evans's Son Co., Inc., in Leominster, 
Massachusetts.
  Over the past 30 years, Ron has committed himself to civic and 
community service on many local, state and national issues.
  Locally, Ron has been a philanthropic force in North Central 
Massachusetts, supporting the Thayer Symphony Orchestra, 
HealthAlliance, Inc., the Fitchburg Art Museum, and local educational 
institutions including the Applewild School, Fitchburg State College 
and Mount Wachusett Community College. Ron has been the recipient of 
the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America and has 
received a Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from Fitchburg State 
College.
  Within Massachusetts, Ron held the position of the Commissioner of 
Commerce and Development in the mid-1980's. He also served on a number 
of state-wide boards and councils including the Governor's Commission 
on Cogeneration, the Mental Health & Retardation Area Board, and the 
State Job Training Coordinating Council. Ron currently serves on the 
American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.
  Nationally, Ron is the treasurer of the Center of National Policy in 
Washington, DC, a non-partisan and non-profit public policy think tank. 
In 1977, Ron served as an industry advisor (footwear) to the Office of 
the President.
  Mr. Speaker, few people in public life ever make the type of 
contributions made by Ronald Ansin. I can sincerely commend Ron as a 
true humanitarian, a role-model for our youth, and a man worthy of 
honor and respect. It is only appropriate that the House join me in 
paying tribute to Mr. Ansin today.

                          ____________________