[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         IN APPRECIATION FOR RON GOLDWYN'S SERVICE TO THE HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer words of appreciation for a 
departing member of my staff, Ron Goldwyn. Ron will be retiring after 7 
years in my Philadelphia office as Press Secretary to enjoy the 
Philadelphia Mummers, baseball, the Southwest and lots of quality time 
with his family. I have no doubt that Ron will also continue to follow 
the workings of this body from a more distant place. His connection to 
the House began long before joining my team. In fact, when his wife 
Carol first came to Washington to meet his family, he brought her to 
sit in the House gallery!
   Ron came to my office as a second career following years of success 
as a journalist. His stellar career began as editor of the ``Family 
News'' at age 10. It then took him to Woodrow Wilson High School's 
Beacon, the Washington Daily News Scholastic Sports Association, Fort 
Dix, the Dayton Journal Herald, Philadelphia Bulletin and the 
Philadelphia Daily News. In my office he has served as a drafter of 
press releases and proclamations, a photographer around town and 
resident comedian.
   Ron is a proud (retired) member of Local 10 of the Newspaper Guild 
(now part of Communications Workers of America). He is former president 
of the Pen and Pencil Club, the journalists' after hours club. He is a 
founding member of Mishkan Shalom synagogue in Roxborough, Pennsylvania 
where he has held several lay leadership positions. Ron still plays on 
the Pen and Pencil softball team and for several years was the 
commissioner of the Center City softball league. He is currently the 
President of the Blue Bell Hill Civic Association.
   From the first time he saw the parade in January, 1975, Ron has 
adored Philadelphia's Mummers Parade, even though many of the Mummers 
are a notoriously prickly and feuding bunch. For a few years, he and 
his wife were only spectators. Then, in 1980 or so, Ron began providing 
the Mummers research ``book'' to Larry Kane who anchored the Parade 
broadcast. From 1984 to 1994, a motley crew of family and friends 
dressed up as kazoos and marched as a group in the Comic Division of 
the parade. Known as the King Kazoo New Year Association--Ron was 
``King Kazoo,'' of course--the group finished as high as fourth in the 
division several times. About 17 years ago, Ron took on a new role, 
becoming the color commentator for the comic division part of Parade 
broadcast until this year, which was his first as a ``marshall'' with 
the Pennsport String Band.
   Ron's absence will be deeply felt in my office. My staff and I have 
come to rely on his strong writing, attention to detail, knowledge of 
Philadelphia history and commitment to public engagement. While we 
celebrate his transition into retirement, we look forward to his visits 
and updates from The Land of Enchantment. I ask my colleagues to join 
me in thanking Ron for his service here and wish him well in his next 
adventure.

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