[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 108 (Friday, July 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE IRA BRUCE RUSKIN

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 11, 2014

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the life and work of an extraordinary man, the Honorable Ira Bruce 
Ruskin. Ira was born in New York City on November 12, 1943, and passed 
away after a long struggle with brain cancer on July 3, 2014.
   Ira Ruskin was drawn to progressive issues at the University of 
California, Berkeley, where he became involved in the Free Speech 
Movement. This began his lifelong advocacy for civil rights, women's 
rights and the environment. After graduating from Berkeley, he earned a 
degree in communications from Stanford University. He was a marketing 
and public relations consultant for two decades until he began his 
political career in 1995, serving on the Redwood City Council and as 
the Mayor from 1991 to 2001. In 2004, he was elected to the State 
Assembly, a position he held with dignity and distinction until 2010, 
when his illness prevented him from entering the race for the State 
Senate.
   Ira Ruskin gave generously of his time and considerable talents to 
others. He helped organize and served as Chair of the Committee for 
Regional Water Reliability, and was Chair of the Bay Area Water Supply 
and Conservation Agency. He also served our community as a Director of 
the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and as an Advisor to the 
Redwood City Education Foundation, the San Mateo County Transportation 
Authority, the San Mateo County Joint Powers Authority, and the San 
Mateo County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Advisory Board.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our 
condolences to Ira's beloved wife, Cheryl, to his entire family and to 
his many friends. It is fitting for us to honor the life of Ira Ruskin 
who was kind and compassionate and who will be greatly missed by all 
who had the good fortune to know him. He was a patriot who served his 
community and his country with a deep sense of dedication and integrity 
and his values and his life of service to others have bettered us and 
made our union stronger. How blessed and privileged I am to have known 
Ira, served our mutual constituents together, and called him my friend.

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