[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 39 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E501-E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE DEAN OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 24-year legislative 
career of my friend, and constituent, Ron Silver. Ron Silver 
exemplifies the essence of what it means to be a public servant. 
Throughout his legislative career Ron has served Florida and the people 
of Miami-Dade county with dignity and honor. His peers fondly named him 
Dean of the Florida Legislature.
  A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ron and his family moved to 
Florida in 1958 where young Ron began laying the groundwork for a 
legislative career that would span over two decades, include five U.S. 
presidents and six Florida governors. In 1978, Ron took his ideas and 
vision to Tallahassee as a member of the Florida House of 
Representatives. There, Ron worked tirelessly on issues such as health 
care, aging and long term care, and criminal justice. His leadership 
was rewarded when his colleagues elected him to two terms as House 
Majority Whip and Majority Leader. In these leadership roles, Ron had 
the enviable task of building consensus among of his Democratic 
colleagues. Not an easy task, but one that Ron relished.
  In 1992, Ron, with the support of his beloved wife, Irene, was 
elected to the Florida Senate. In the Senate, he was again elected to a 
leadership role as Majority Leader. As a member of that distinguished 
body, Ron stands out as a champion of disadvantaged Floridians. Ron 
shares my commitment to reducing Florida's welfare rolls by promoting 
personal responsibility and giving a hand up as opposed to a hand out. 
Our partnership

[[Page E502]]

 grew as a result of the historic 1996 welfare reform act and it 
continues today as we fund the critical program known as Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
  Although 2002 brings an end to Ron Silver's legislative service, Mr. 
Speaker, I am certain Ron will continue serving his community and the 
great state of Florida for many years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of Florida's Congressional delegation, I 
salute Ron Silver, on his twenty-four great years of honorable service 
in the Florida legislature and wish him and his family the very best in 
the years to come. I'm proud to call Ronald Alden Silver my friend.

                          ____________________