[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 116 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RETIREMENT OF RONALD E. MADSEN

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am grateful for the opportunity today to 
pay tribute to a wonderful man, dedicated public servant, and loyal 
friend, Ronald E. Madsen.
  Ron is retiring from my Senate Staff after 21 years of dedicated 
service to the people of Utah, a time throughout which he worked 
tirelessly to promote and protect the values and ideals we all hold so 
dear.
  Ron joined my staff in the early days of my Senate career and has 
always been a vital center of my Senate organization.
  He has served in many capacities including Utah state director, 
environmental and lands advisor, and most recently as staff counsel.
  Ron Madsen has been a guiding influence for me. Over the years, we 
have navigated through many challenges and enjoyed many successes.
  He has always diligently strived to provide sound counsel and steady 
support as we have worked together on issues facing Utah and the 
Nation.
  In addition, Ron has played a vital role in working with many Utah 
industries and associations.
  He spent many years advising and helping to promote the tourism and 
air travel industries throughout Utah.
  He is a strong advocate for the Second Amendment and was a key 
liaison for my office on issues affecting this important constitutional 
right.
  Over the years, Ron has spent literally months traveling Utah, 
meeting with county and city officials and getting a good feel for the 
issues and challenges Utahns are facing throughout our State.
  But perhaps the most important and lasting service Ron performed were 
the literally thousands of hours he spent listening to and counseling 
constituents who called my office looking for assistance with a myriad 
of problems.
  In Ron, they not only found help, they made a good friend. He has 
always been willing to work with all constituents, no matter their 
circumstances.
  The friendship and help Ron Madsen extended has been invaluable to 
hundreds if not thousands of Utahns and will be felt for many years to 
come.
  Ron was born and raised in Provo, UT where his family played an 
integral role in the community. He attended Brigham Young University 
where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and graduated with 
honors. He was then awarded a 3-year trustee scholarship to George 
Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he 
served on the Law Review.
  Ron later received his Juris Doctorate Degree with honors and went on 
to establish a successful and prestigious law career and was admitted 
to practice law in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Utah, and before the 
United States Supreme Court.
  In addition to the service Ron has rendered in his community and our 
office, Ron is a loving father and grandfather. He is the proud father 
of one son and 2 daughters, and grandfather to 5 grandsons and 1 
granddaughter.
  I have often admired the dedication and devotion Ron Madsen has 
always shown, not only to his children and grandchildren, but to his 
wife Kathryn who was sick for many years and is now deceased.
  Ron stood by her side through her struggles with health and was a 
steadfast partner until the end.
  Ron also has a true love for animals and has opened his home to many 
animals in need of shelter and care. He has helped his daughter, a 
veterinarian technician by trade, nurse many wounded creatures back to 
good health and improved their quality of life immeasurably.
  He has sacrificed his talents, time and financial resources for the 
creatures of our earth--something truly noteworthy and honorable.
  I am truly grateful for the service Ron Madsen has given to me, to 
his community and to Utah. He has been by my side for many, many years 
and I will always be extremely grateful for the service he has 
rendered.
  I will miss Ron tremendously, but know that life holds many wonderful 
things for him to savor and enjoy.
  And as Ron has always liked to quote--``you can go off the Hatch 
payroll, but never off the Hatch staff.''
  In the future, I plan to continue to rely on Ron Madsen for his very 
expert advice, for his guidance and support.
  Ron is a truly dedicated public servant, fervently patriotic 
American, loving father and grandfather, and loyal and cherished 
friend.
  I want to wish him the very best in retirement and pray for his 
continued good health, success and happiness.

                          ____________________