[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING WILLIAM G. SHEEHAN UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to take a 
few minutes to honor a special constituent of mine who after 30 years 
of providing senior citizens with dedicated service at the Social 
Security Administration has decided to retire on June 2 of this year.
  William G. Sheehan, who presently serves as the District Manager of 
the Springfield, MA, regional office of the Social Security 
Administration, has decided that the time has come for him to hang up 
his hat and retire from a long and meritorious career.
  Bill Sheehan's commitment to seniors, the poor and the disabled in 
western Massachusetts is well known, and his day to day input and 
dedication in the Springfield regional SSA office will surely be 
missed.
  Bill started his career with the Social Security Administration in 
1967 as a Claims Representative in SSA's Springfield office. In 1971, 
he became an Operations Supervisor, working out of the Hartford, CT, 
office. He continued to climb the ranks within the Social Security 
Administration, moving from office to office, when in June of 1980, he 
became the District Manager of the Springfield Regional Social Security 
office. He has served in this position for more than 20 years.
  There is common and collective praise for the job Bill Sheehan has 
done during his tenure in Springfield. The usual comments I hear about 
Bill go something like: ``Oh, Bill Sheehan--he's the nicest man,'' or 
``Bill Sheehan, he's been so helpful.'' Surely his friendly face and 
his cordial demeanor will be greatly missed.
  In addition to his brilliant service record, Bill has had a very rich 
public life in the community outside of his office. He serves on the 
Career Advisory Board at Springfield College, and was a Board member at 
Independence House, a shelter for men. He currently serves on the 
Boards of Independence House, the Galaxy Council, and the Consumer 
Credit Council of western Massachusetts, as well as the Greater 
Springfield Senior Services Inc., where he has also served as past 
President and Treasurer. He is also a retired United States National 
Guard Lieutenant Colonel and Squadron Commander.
  Most noteworthy to mention today is Bill Sheehan's commitment to his 
family. He is married to the former Madelyn Ferrero, his former 
schoolmate at Cathedral High School in Springfield. Madelyn is a 
graduate from Elms College and is a teacher at Forest Park Middle 
School.
  Together, Bill and Madelyn have two children, Bill and Mark. Mark is 
married to Jennifer Doyle, lives on Cape Cod, and works for State 
Street Bank in Boston. His son Bill lives in Boston and is Vice 
President for an Internet company, Suppliermarket.
  Bill Sheehan is a graduate of Western New England College, doing it 
the hard way, at night, while working during the day. Bill also sold 
advertising for the Springfield newspapers prior to coming to the 
Social Security Administration.
  Bill enjoys his life in Wilbraham, keeping a meticulously groomed 
yard and house. He plans to spend much of his retirement at his summer 
home at the Rhode Island shore.
  I would like to take a moment to thank Bill Sheehan for a life of 
public and community service. Social Security beneficiaries in the 
Springfield area, and all of us who have worked with him throughout the 
years, will miss him very much.

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