[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF RYAN W. CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ryan W. Clark, a young man 
who has already proven his courage, his selflessness and his dedication 
to others, and who will be rightfully honored with the Medal of Valor 
by the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday for placing his life 
on the line to rescue a fellow officer. In October, he will be honored 
by President Clinton with the ``Top Cop'' Award.
  At 26, Ryan has already experienced more than may people twice his 
years. He enlisted in the Army in 1991 after graduating from St. 
Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California, and was assigned to the 
famed 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his first 
enlistment ended, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. It 
wasn't his first taste of law enforcement, however; he volunteered as a 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Explorer Scout from age 15 to 17.
  In May of 1997, Ryan braved a barrage of bullets in a darkened 
warehouse while attempting to save a fellow officer.
  It is every officer's nightmare to have to respond to a call of an 
officer down, as Ryan and several other LAPD officers did on that 
fateful day. As they entered the darkened building, they came under 
fire from a barricaded gunman. Despite the extreme danger, Ryan and 
other officers laid down a barrage of fire of their own as they tried 
to advance to their fallen comrade. Ryan's partner was hit by gunfire, 
and during the officers' forced retreat, Ryan further jeopardized his 
own safety by dragging his partner from harm's way. Then Ryan and other 
officers made a second assault. The gunman was killed. Unfortunately, 
the officer they were trying to save also died.
  Ryan has since left the Los Angeles Police Department and has 
returned to the Army, where he has completed training as a medical 
specialist. He will return to the 82nd Airborne next month. Ryan's 
wife, Laura, thinks jumping out of airplanes is only a bit more safe 
than his law enforcement career. The couple have one daughter.
  Mr. Speaker, Ryan epitomizes the kind of person we hold high when we 
point to our police officers and military personnel. To risk one's own 
life to save another's is the greatest act of heroism. I know my 
colleagues will join me in congratulating Ryan for the honors he will 
receive and in thanking him for his dedication to preserving life and 
upholding the ideals of the United States.

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