[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E37]]



                          TRIBUTE TO TOM RYDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Tom Ryder, and all 
the great work he did as a member of the Illinois House of 
Representatives over the last 18 years.
  Mr. Ryder was born in 1949, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northern 
Illinois University, and received a Juris Doctor degree from Washington 
and Lee University. Then, in 1983, he was elected to the Illinois 
General Assembly as the Representative for the 97th District.
  There he served with honor and distinction until his recent 
retirement on November 13, 2001. He was the Deputy Republican Leader of 
the House and Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative 
Rules. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he sponsored and 
cosponsored many important pieces of legislation, such as medical 
malpractice reform and the deterrence of welfare fraud and abuse.
  But his good works were not limited to the House floor--he was also a 
civic and community leader. Mr. Ryder was an active member of the Peace 
United Church of Christ, Chairman of the Jerseyville All-Weather Track 
Committee, founder of the Jersey Community High School Theatre Friends, 
former chairman of the United Way, and former co-chairman of the Jersey 
County Cancer Crusade Bike-A-Thon. He is truly a kind and industrious 
person.
  Mr. Speaker, we need more men like Tom Ryder. Not only has he 
admirably served both his country and his community for almost two 
decades in the Illinois General Assembly, but he also plans to continue 
his service after he retires, as Vice President of External Affairs 
with the Illinois Community College Board. For all of these things, he 
deserves the gratitude and well wishes of these chambers. May God bless 
him and grant him fortune in all his future endeavors.

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