[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3987-H3988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF FORMER SPEAKER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE 
                   OF REPRESENTATIVES MATTHEW J. RYAN

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 178) honoring the life and work of former Speaker 
of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Matthew J. Ryan and 
offering the deepest condolences of the United States House of 
Representatives to his wife and family on his death.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 178

       Whereas Matthew J. Ryan, born in Philadelphia, 
     Pennsylvania, led a distinguished career of public service 
     devoted to the United States and the State of Pennsylvania;
       Whereas Matthew J. Ryan served as a First Lieutenant in the 
     United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956;
       Whereas Matthew J. Ryan began his service to the 168th 
     District of Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania House of 
     Representatives in 1962;
       Whereas Matthew J. Ryan was elected Speaker of the 
     Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1981, 1995, 1997, 
     1999, 2001, and 2003;
       Whereas Matthew J. Ryan was the second longest serving 
     Member and the third longest serving Speaker of the 
     Pennsylvania House of Representatives in its 321 year 
     history;
       Whereas Speaker Ryan's ability to negotiate with and unite 
     Members possessing differing viewpoints in the Pennsylvania 
     House of Representatives contributed to the betterment of 
     Pennsylvania throughout his six terms as Speaker;
       Whereas Speaker Ryan will be remembered for his quick wit 
     and gracious demeanor, attributes which endeared him to 
     colleagues and citizens alike;
       Whereas Speaker Ryan received hundreds of awards and 
     commendations during his four decades of service, including 
     the National Conference of State Legislators' ``Legislator of 
     the Year Award'' and the Delaware County Chamber of 
     Commerce's ``Citizen of the Year Award''; and
       Whereas the ``Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Building'' of the 
     Pennsylvania Capitol complex will forever serve as a 
     testament to Speaker Ryan's faithful service to the State and 
     as a reminder of his unwavering leadership in the 
     Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives 
     honors the outstanding life and work of former Speaker of the 
     Pennsylvania House of Representatives Matthew J. Ryan and 
     offers its deepest condolences to his wife and family on his 
     death.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 178, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), honors the 
life and work of former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives Matthew J. Ryan and offers the deepest condolences of 
the United States House of Representatives to his wife and family on 
his death.
  Mr. Speaker, Matthew Ryan was one of the most influential public 
servants in the great State of Pennsylvania for more than 20 years. 
After winning his first term to the State House in 1981, he ultimately 
rose to the level of Speaker where he served the longest tenure as 
House Speaker of any Republican in Pennsylvania history.
  Speaker Ryan was a well-regarded member of the Pennsylvania State 
House, largely due to his close relations with all representatives of 
both parties. Current Pennsylvania Governor, Ed Rendell, a Democrat, 
kindly spoke to Speaker Ryan's effectiveness and affability, saying 
that he consistently provided ``strong and effective leadership without 
resorting to destructive partisanship.''
  Governor Tom Ridge, who is now the Secretary of the Department of 
Homeland Security, often spoke in affectionate terms of the positive 
working relationship he had with Speaker Ryan; and similarly, Governor 
Mark Schweiker, who followed Governor Ridge, talked of Matt Ryan in the 
most endearing of terms.
  Longtime Delaware County GOP Chairman Thomas Judge, Sr. has said, 
``You couldn't get mad at him. He was just an individual who would say 
he would disagree with you, and he certainly would give his viewpoint, 
but when you left the room, you were friends. He never held a grudge.''
  Because of this respect, Speaker Ryan's colleagues in the legislature

[[Page H3988]]

honored him by rededicating the Capitol Annex in Harrisburg as the 
Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building. Luckily, they could do 
that before Matt Ryan passed away so he could see his name on that 
building.

                              {time}  1500

  Matt Ryan, sadly, passed away on March 29, 2003, after a long battle 
with stomach cancer. He is survived by his wife, Delaware County Judge 
Patricia H. Jenkins; five children, Matt, Jr., Maureen, Katie, Terry 
and Jayne, and 12 grandchildren.
  As the resolution states, we offer each of them the condolences of 
this House and the reassurance that Matthew J. Ryan will never be 
forgotten. Therefore, I urge all members to support the adoption of 
House Resolution 178 that honors the career and life of Matthew J. 
Ryan; and I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Weldon) for introducing this important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives, Matthew J. Ryan, is well known throughout Pennsylvania 
as an advocate for welfare reform, tax relief and creating jobs.
  Speaker Ryan served in the House for 41 years. During that time he 
served as Republican policy chairman and whip and for longer than 
anyone else who ever held office.
  Speaker Ryan was the elected Speaker for the first time in 1981, and 
colleagues from both sides of the aisle lauded him for the nonpartisan 
way in which he presided over that session. Elected Speaker again in 
1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, Ryan is respected by his peers as a 
caucus unifier, feisty debater, parliamentary tactician, government 
expert, Pennsylvania booster, and a committed leader who plays fair and 
with esprit.
  A member of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts since 1995, Ryan 
founded Arts Education Day at the State capitol, an annual event that 
features hundreds of young performing and visual artists from across 
the State. For this and other support of arts education, in 2001 he 
received the Champion of Arts Education Award from the Pennsylvania 
Alliance for Arts Education.
  In his 1981 acknowledgment speech, Ryan is quoted as saying, ``We 
representatives of the Pennsylvania House, honored by our special 
heritage and enabled by our unique tradition, have sworn our pledges to 
serve our Commonwealth, to serve our country, and to save the dream of 
William Penn, and this service begins when this day's meeting ends.''
  Speaker Ryan served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania well, and I urge 
my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Shuster).
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 178, 
honoring the life and work of the former Speaker of the Pennsylvania 
House of Representatives, Matthew J. Ryan. Our thoughts and prayers go 
out to his wonderful family.
  Matt Ryan was a legendary figure in Pennsylvania politics and a true 
definition of an American statesman. As we remember Matt, we speak of 
dignity, wisdom and fairness. We also recall his strong-willed 
determination and focus in serving the State that he loved so dearly. 
In the world of politics it is rare to find someone who was so 
effective on so many levels and touched so many people.
  Speaker Ryan offered an extended hand to both friend and foe, and it 
is fitting that his legacy includes friends and admirers who sat on 
both sides of the aisle.
  Earlier this year, the Speaker told colleagues, ``I'll be back,'' 
when he was forced to take leave and battle his illness. It was perhaps 
unnecessary because Matt Ryan has never left. He will always be with 
us.
  The State of Pennsylvania has lost a leader, and the United States 
has lost one of its great citizens. I am honored to support House 
Resolution 178, to recognize the life and work of our distinguished and 
deeply missed Speaker.
  Mr. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I want to again thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Weldon) for introducing this important legislation. Unfortunately, 
he was not able to be here personally.
  I urge all Members to support the adoption of this measure.
  Mr. HOEFFEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember 
Matthew J. Ryan, the former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives.
  Speaker Ryan, who passed away on March 29, 2003, dutifully served the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives for over 40 years. I am glad to see that his life and 
work are being honored here today in the United States House of 
Representatives, and I deeply share the sentiments expressed in H. Res. 
178.
  Speaker Ryan climbed the ranks in the Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives, and I had the distinct pleasure of working with him 
while he was serving as the Majority Leader and then when he was first 
elected as Speaker in 1981. His leadership and sense of humor will be 
greatly missed as will his tireless work for the citizens of 
Pennsylvania.
  Matt Ryan had a very effective way of maintaining order in the 
Pennsylvania House from the Speaker's chair. When the debate became 
loud and tempers were flaring, Matt would gently tap the gavel on the 
desk rather than bang the gavel head, and his gentle persuasion always 
returned the House to order.
  I also want to express my condolences to Speaker Ryan's wife and 
family on their loss. I thank them for sharing Speaker Ryan with us 
with the people he represented. Speaker Matthew J. Ryan will be greatly 
missed, and I am very grateful to him and the work he did throughout 
his career.
  Mr. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capito). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 178.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________