[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 17 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO RICHARD D. ``DICK'' GILROY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2015

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard D. ``Dick'' 
Gilroy, a great Hoosier and valued friend who passed away on January 
25, 2015. On that Sunday evening we lost a committed husband and 
father, as well as a dedicated community servant. I consider the words 
recorded on the floor of this House to be the official record of our 
nation. As such, please allow me to submit the following:
  After law school, Dick Gilroy joined the office of former 
Indianapolis Mayor, Richard G. Lugar, where he served the citizens of 
the city admirably and where he met Sue Anne Starnes, who he would 
marry in 1973.
  Having been a member of the United States Army Reserve, Dick Gilroy 
was a patriot who cared deeply for our nation and the ideals of 
American Exceptionalism. As one who believed deeply in the sacred 
American principle of ``innocent until proven guilty,'' Dick continued 
to serve the people of Indianapolis as a public defender, and later as 
a Magistrate Judge.
  Always close to politics and public service, Dick Gilroy was the 
perfect spouse ``behind the scenes'' as his cherished wife ran for 
statewide office and served two celebrated terms as Indiana's 58th 
Secretary of State.
  Mr. Speaker, we live in an age when the spouse of an elected official 
may often times play an integral role in the success of the official's 
public service. The unelected spouse will often share the work and time 
commitment of his/her partner. Dick Gilroy understood the significance 
of this role and executed it faithfully always supporting the efforts 
of his wife and understanding her commitment to public service. For 
that reason he was a tremendous asset to Sue Anne and her staff alike. 
In that role he greatly served the state and country he loved so much.
  Dick believed in using his talents and passion to improve the lives 
of those in his church and community. He created Young Life basketball 
and tutoring program through Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and led the 
ministry for ten years. The program influenced the lives of those who 
participated and the volunteers who supported it. Dick is still 
referred to as ``Coach Gilroy'' by those who participated in the 
program.
  As another Gilroy family friend recently remarked, Dick Gilroy was 
the ``salt-of-the-earth'' and one of the ``best'' human beings anyone 
would come across. Those of us who were lucky enough to ``experience'' 
Dick Gilroy, whether we are former Gilroy staffers, personal friends, 
professional colleagues, or community leaders, could not be more in 
agreement with these statements.
  He was a caring and strong father, a loving husband, and a great 
mentor to young lawyers and public servants like me. Aside from 
coaching troubled kids, he played a great deal of sports himself, 
including hockey. I remember Dick telling me one time when I was 
playing as an adult that ``the only appropriate beverage after a hockey 
game is a LaBatt's Blue.'' Growing up in Detroit, and being so close to 
our northern neighbor, Dick was always allowed this one indiscretion.
  Dick Gilroy leaves his wife of 41 years, who along with him, serves 
as a mentor and friend to Kathy and me. He also leaves his son, Grant, 
and two granddaughters. Dick has finally been reunited with the 
Gilroy's beloved daughter, Emily, who preceded him in death.
  While leaders always lead, and the leadership that the Gilroy family 
has provided Indiana for so many years will certainly continue on, 
Hoosiers experienced a setback in losing Dick Gilroy so unexpectedly. 
Because so many of us gained so much from him and the quiet leadership 
he provided, he will always be cherished, missed, and emulated.

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