[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1564]]
 REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF RALPH R. ``RONNEY'' SNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
life and accomplishments of Ralph R. ``Ronney'' Snell, CPO, FAAOP, who 
passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 11. Mr. Snell's death is a 
great loss to his family, his friends and members of the Orthotic & 
Prosthetic field.
  Ronney dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for his 
patients and contributed greatly to the success of many Orthotic & 
Prosthetic companies. As a third generation Orthotic & Prosthetic 
practitioner, Ronney presided over his family's business, Snell's Limb 
and Braces, Inc., for 16 years.
  Ronney served on the board of directors of Durr Fillauer Medical 
Inc., he served as president of Prosthetics and Orthotics Development 
Inc., and as director of research and development and production for 
Florida Brace, Inc. In addition, Ronney served as director of 
prosthetics and orthotics at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. 
Ronney founded his own company, C.F.I. Prosthetics & Orthotics in 
Memphis, and later worked as area manager for J.E. Hanger in Kentucky 
and Tennessee.
  Ronney earned his certification in prosthetics in 1957 and orthotics 
in 1975. He made countless contributions to his profession, and he 
shared his knowledge and experience with everyone he met by serving as 
president of every major Orthotic & Prosthetic organization. Ronney was 
president of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and 
Prosthetics in 1969, and he helped organize the American Academy 
of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Ronney became the Academy's first 
president in 1971 and was named a fellow member in 2002. Furthermore, 
Ronney served two terms as president of the American Orthotic and 
Prosthetic Association, the first in 1974-1975 and the second in 1998-
1999.

  Perhaps, Ronney will be remembered most as a mentor and teacher. 
Ronney held a number of teaching positions to pass along his knowledge 
and expertise to others. He served as a clinical instructor at the 
University of Tennessee's Department of Physical Therapy; he was an 
assistant professor of orthopedics for the University of Tennessee's 
rehabilitation engineering program and served as an instructor of 
Orthotics & Prosthetics at Northwestern University.
  Ronney's life-long passion was dedicated to helping others and making 
a difference in their lives. His generosity and loving nature were 
evident in his active participation with St. Jude Children's Research 
Hospital and the donations he made in support of his ideals.
  With all the lives he touched and the contributions he made, Ronney 
earned a wealth of accolades, including American Orthotic and 
Prosthetic Association's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, the 
Academy's Titus-Ferguson Award for a lifetime of achievement and a 
special tribute created by American Orthotic and Prosthetic 
Association, American Board for Certification in Orthotics and 
Prosthetics, and the Academy to recognize his leadership in all three 
organizations.
  Ronney Snell leaves behind a long legacy of selfless servitude to the 
field of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and to his family and friends. 
Ronney set an example for all of us to follow, and he will be greatly 
missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring a distinguished 
public servant, an outstanding citizen and my friend, Ronney Snell.

                          ____________________