[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 40 (Thursday, March 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING WILLIAM J. RYAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2010

  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer special recognition 
to William J. Ryan as he announces his retirement from TD Bank, N.A.
  William arrived in Maine amidst the real estate recession of the 
early 1990s. In a climate similar to the economic hardships the country 
faces today, much of the state's banking industry was in turmoil. 
Peoples Heritage Bank, the forerunner of TD Bank, NA, was on the verge 
of being closed down by the FDIC when William was named its CEO in 
1990. Not only was Peoples Heritage Bank restored to solvency, but 
under the stewardship of Mr. Ryan and his team, over 30 banks and 
insurance industries in New England were brought together under the 
Bank North banner.
  William's capacity for turning institutions on the verge of ruin into 
spectacular success stories has impacted Maine greatly. The Bates Mill 
Complex in Lewiston, once the site of the state's largest single 
employer, was on schedule to be torn down before the bank intervened. 
Today, the bank is one of Lewiston-Auburn area's largest employers, 
including over a thousand TD jobs filling the mill alone. Additionally, 
West Falmouth has been transformed into a regional commercial and 
business hub since a new bank operations center was opened there. 
Lastly, thanks to the efforts of William Ryan, Portland now boasts the 
corporate headquarters of one of the fifteen biggest banks in the 
country.
  Outside his positions as a board member and Vice Chair of TD Bank 
Financial Group and as CEO of TD Banknorth Inc. William serves the 
community in a variety of civic capacities. He is a Trustee of the 
Libra Foundation, a group advocating the advancement of human rights, 
an Emeriti Trustee of Colby College in Waterville Maine and a member of 
the Board of Advisors at the University of New England.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Ryan on his 
retirement, and thanking him for his tremendous contributions to the 
people of Maine.

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