[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF RICHARD J. CRONIN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Richard 
J. Cronin, Sr., a distinguished Rhode Islander and close family friend 
to whom I owe a great deal. Richard was a model of the East Providence 
community and will be remembered by all as a dedicated, compassionate 
and selfless citizen.
  During the course of our lives, we meet a handful of people who, we 
later realize, played integral roles in the development of our 
character. Richard Cronin was such a person in my life. My earliest 
memories of him date back to my childhood, when I would visit my 
grandparents in East Providence. Richard's family lived next door to 
them, and before long the Cronin family became as familiar to me as my 
own. While Richard and his wife Mildred chatted amiably with my 
grandparents, I would join the Cronin boys, Danny and Richard, in 
exploration of the neighborhood surrounding us.
  I continued my contact with Richard throughout my professional 
career, and had the honor of serving with him on the East Providence 
Planning Board, of which he was a charter member and chairman. He 
retired from the board on May 20, 1980, with a distinguished record of 
service behind him. I succeeded him as chair of the Planning Board and 
drew on his example of honest and fair leadership to help me face this 
new challenge. Richard introduced me to the realm of public service, 
and I hope to maintain the high standards he expected of me and of 
those around him.
  Richard wore many hats in the community and will be remembered for 
his numerous contributions. The owner of two businesses, Richard was a 
visible figure in the transportation and construction fields. He 
belonged to approximately a dozen trade organizations, and served as 
president of the Rhode Island Truck Owners Association and the New 
England Tank Truck Carriers. His community service was illustrated by 
his activity at St. Brendan Church and his status as board member of 
the East Providence Boys Club.
  I attended Richard's memorial service last week and realized that all 
those present had been blessed by knowing this great man. He instilled 
in all of us a passion of life and a desire to improve ourselves and 
our surroundings. I will always consider him one of my mentors, the 
person who taught me the great joys and responsibilities of public 
service. I offer my most heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends 
that survived him and promise to honor his memory not only in words but 
also by striving to reach the high standards by which he lived his 
fruitful life.

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