[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 43 (Thursday, March 15, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1731-S1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                    TRIBUTE TO RAYMOND J. WIECZOREK

 Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, today I wish to honor my dear 
friend, Raymond J. Wieczorek--a distinguished New Hampshire citizen who 
has devoted a lifetime of service to his city, State, and Nation. After 
providing decades of community and civic leadership in and around 
Manchester, he will retire from public office at the end of this year.
  Ray is a father and a grandfather who has also been a loving husband. 
He has served as a soldier, a volunteer, a small businessman, a mayor, 
and as a member of New Hampshire's executive

[[Page S1732]]

council. But to me, Ray is a model public servant whose commitment to 
improving the lives of others sets the standard for elected officials.
  Not long after graduating from high school, Ray answered the call to 
serve his country. During the Korean war, he was a soldier with the 
Army's 40th Infantry Division. An advocate for veterans, he remains a 
proud member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  In 1958, Ray's career brought him to his adopted hometown of 
Manchester. Six years later, he founded the insurance agency that bears 
his name--now a second generation family business carried on by his 
sons.
  It didn't take long for Ray to realize that a city is only as strong 
as its citizenry. He once said that the heart and soul of any community 
is formed by the people who are willing to give their heart and soul to 
their community. And that is exactly what Ray has done.
  To say that he has given generously of his time and expertise over 
the past several decades would be an understatement. Ray served as a 
trustee of the Manchester Boys and Girls Club; director and president 
of the Manchester Scholarship Foundation; chairman of the Greater 
Manchester United Way Board of Directors; and as commissioner, and 
later chairman, of the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
  In 1989, Ray was elected to his first of five terms as the mayor of 
Manchester--New Hampshire's largest city. In the midst of an economic 
downturn, the Queen City faced significant challenges. A once bustling 
mill town, the city was struggling to reinvent itself. Ray's enormous 
energy, vision, and optimism made him a perfect fit for the mayor's 
office--and at just the right time.
  While others may have had doubts about the city's future, Ray thought 
big. To help drive economic activity, he successfully pushed for the 
approval of a civic center. Today, visitors from across New Hampshire 
descend on the Verizon Wireless arena--located in the well-named 
``Raymond J. Wieczorek Square''--for sporting events and concerts. This 
facility has literally changed the face of Manchester, enlivening 
downtown and proving that the Queen City is open for business.
  Under Ray's leadership, Manchester made a major comeback. The city's 
iconic Millyard started to flourish once again. The groundwork was laid 
for a now-thriving Manchester Airport, which today serves as the 
gateway to northern New England and Boston's northern suburbs. 
Fittingly enough, the access road to the airport is named in Ray's 
honor. Also during his mayoralty, a new city charter was adopted. The 
FIRST program got underway, and city hall was renovated and restored; 
it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  Ray once said, ``I wasn't born in this city. I'm here [be]cause I 
want to be here.'' His efforts to improve Manchester were driven by an 
unwavering devotion to the city he loves. The turnaround Ray led was 
confirmed in 1998, when Money magazine named Manchester as the Number 
One Small City in the East.
  And after nearly a decade of service as mayor, Ray was honored by the 
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce as the 1999 Citizen of the Year.
  It would have been understandable for Ray to enjoy a quiet 
retirement. Fortunately for the people of New Hampshire, he instead 
chose to bring his wisdom to the statehouse in Concord.
  Serving with Ray in State government, I had a firsthand opportunity 
to see his strong commitment to fighting for his constituents. And as 
New Hampshire has faced challenges during a difficult economic period, 
there is no question that Ray's experience as a successful mayor and 
businessman has contributed conspicuously to the work of the executive 
council. Just as he helped Manchester navigate a challenging chapter in 
its history, Ray has provided steady and strong leadership at a 
critical time for our State. Having served on the council for a decade, 
Ray's voice will be sorely missed after his retirement.
  Today, in the Senate, I am honored to recognize Ray Wieczorek for his 
tireless work to improve the lives of Manchester residents and citizens 
from across New Hampshire. I am grateful for his leadership, for his 
good humor, and most of all for his kind friendship. By raising the bar 
for excellence in public service, Ray Wieczorek has earned his rightful 
place as one of New Hampshire's great statesmen.

                          ____________________