[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF JERRY HAYES FOR HIS REMARKABLE RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND 
            COURAGEOUS ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise sadly to salute a courageous public 
servant from my district who passed away recently, a man who changed my 
life as well as the lives of numerous people with disabilities.
  Thomas G. (Jerry) Hayes of Excelsior, Minnesota, was confined to a 
wheelchair since 1976 because of a mysterious virus which left him 
paralyzed from the waist down.
  But when it came to issues of importance to people with disabilities, 
Jerry's mobility and spirit knew no bounds. He was a powerful, 
articulate and highly effective advocate for people with disabilities 
right up to his death earlier this month. His son, Tom, called Jerry a 
``professional volunteer.''
  Jerry was a highly successful business leader as head of Jersey Ice 
Cream and a food sales company. He viewed his disability not with 
regret or bitterness, but as an opportunity, an opportunity to help 
other people with disabilities and the poor.
  I was a young State Senator when I first met Jerry Hayes, who quickly 
became one of my role models and a key member of my Disabilities 
Advisory Committee. Issues important to people with disabilities have 
been among my highest priorities since entering public service, and 
Jerry is one of the principal reasons why.
  Jerry was well liked by everyone he met and his well-researched, 
heartfelt positions moved many lawmakers to change their thinking when 
it came to critical issues affecting people with disabilities.
  Jerry used the very same assets that made him so successful in 
business--his dynamic personality, boundless energy and tremendous 
leadership skills--to increase public awareness of the daunting 
obstacles faced by people with disabilities as they tried to lead more 
independent lifestyles.
  Jerry Hayes changed minds, softened hearts and, literally, moved 
buildings.
  His relentless hard work led to buildings becoming more accessible 
for people with disabilities, just one of his many accomplishments. He 
was particularly interested in making churches more accessible.
  When then President Bush signed the landmark Americans with 
Disabilities Act, Jerry Hayes received a personal invitation from the 
President to attend the event.
  His life's work and volunteerism on behalf of people with 
disabilities read like a ``Who's Who'' of Twin Cities organizations 
which are there to help. Touched by his vision, energy and work ethic 
were the world famous Courage Center, where he was a member of the 
board, United Handicapped Federation, Quality Transit Coalition, 
Regional Transit Board, Catholic Charities, where he was also a board 
member, Special Olympics, Minnesota Board on Aging, Minnesota 
Governor's Planning Council on Physical Disabilities and others.
  Jerry Hayes was also a veteran of the Army. A grateful nation owes 
him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his dedication to freedom for 
the people of the world and all Americans with disabilities.
  I will always be grateful to Jerry Hayes for his exceptional 
leadership, visionary guidance and treasured friendship through the 
years. My thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family: Mary, his 
wife of 46 years; son Joe and daughters Jean, Molly and Abbie; his 
eight grandchildren; his sister Mary and brother John.

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