[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 9 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E155-E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF RALPH B. THOMAS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2005

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that 
I rise today to congratulate Ralph B. Thomas of the San Diego Border 
Patrol Sector. Mr. Thomas celebrates his retirement after 28 years of 
service in immigration policy and operations. I am honored to have this 
opportunity to pay tribute to an exceptional public servant.
  In 1960, after a long day of campaigning for the presidency, John F. 
Kennedy arrived at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to find 
thousands of students waiting to hear him speak. He challenged the 
assembled students with the following immortal statement: ``Ask not 
what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the 
freedom of man.'' These fateful words launched the Peace Corps.
  A twenty-something Ralph Thomas learned of this challenge and 
answered it. In 1961, he joined the newly established international 
volunteer organization and traveled to the Philippines. He taught 
English as a Second Language in an elementary school and gave support 
to 35 volunteers in education and community development assignments as 
a volunteer leader.
  Ralph Thomas completed his doctoral studies in Asian history and 
culture at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971, and taught Asian and 
American history at the University of Pennsylvania and Adrian College 
in Michigan.
  His deep interest in urban and ethnic issues led to positions as 
Director of Black/White Curricula for the Education Development Center 
in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and as a process observer for the Detroit 
Education Task Force.
  His involvement in immigration matters resulted from his friend and 
fellow Peace Corps/Philippines volunteer Leonel Castillo being named 
Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1977. 
After working as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner for two years, 
Ralph became Deputy Director of the Select Commission on Immigration 
and Refugee Policy. The Select Commission recommended a number of the 
policy changes enacted as part of 1986 and 1990 immigration reform 
legislation. Ralph returned to the INS as a special assistant and 
consultant for the first two years of the Reagan Administration.

  In September 1983, Ralph was selected as an appellate examiner for 
the new Administrative Appeals Unit. In 1984, he was transferred to an 
inspector position in the Office of Refugees, Asylum and Parole. From 
1986 to 1991, he served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner. Ralph spent 
six more years in the INS Office of Congressional and Public Affairs 
before coming to the San Diego Sector.
  Ralph's career spans the arenas of international development, 
education, immigration policy and border management. His sincerity, 
modest demeanor and community involvement make him a true public 
servant. For example, when impassable road conditions at Border Field 
State Park threaten to cancel a mass organized in memory of those who 
lost their lives crossing the border, Ralph stepped in. The mass took 
place as scheduled.
  As Special Assistant to the Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego 
Border Patrol Sector, Ralph has impressed me with his dedication to 
conveying the magnitude of the Border Patrol's work. I have experienced 
first-hand the rugged and steep terrain along the Imperial Beach-
Tijuana border and flown over the expanse of the San Diego-Tijuana 
border with Ralph and Border Patrol Chief William Veal. Border Patrol 
agents are working hard to secure our borders.
  On behalf of the people of San Diego, I would like to extend my 
sincere appreciation

[[Page E156]]

for Ralph's commitment and my best wishes for his retirement. I wish 
him, his wife Janet, and their son, Michael, the very best in their new 
endeavors. My office will miss his hard work, hearty laugh and quick 
wit.

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