[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6460-S6461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING JOSEPH SCANLON

 Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, Rhode Island recently lost a 
good man and dedicated public servant. Joseph Scanlon, from Tiverton, 
passed away on August 24 with his family at his side. For all of us who 
knew him, this was very sad news.
  Joe wore many hats during the course of his life. He served in the 
U.S. Army in the Korean war. He represented his hometown of Tiverton in 
the Rhode Island General Assembly. He worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield 
of Rhode Island for 10 years and was a member of the board of directors 
of Home Loan Investment Bank. He was active in local civic and 
charitable organizations, like the Fogarty Foundation, the Catholic 
Charity Fund, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Rhode Island 
Heart Association, just to name a few. These items alone make for quite 
an impressive resume.
  But Joe will always be remembered for his service as administrative 
aide to the late U.S. Congressman Fernand St. Germain. For nearly three 
decades, Joe ran the Congressman's office in Rhode Island. During that 
time, Joe created an office which focused on helping constituents in 
their dealings with the Federal Government. Joe's work was and remains 
the gold standard for congressional offices and reflects Joe's deep-
seated commitment to the people of Rhode Island.
  In this time of partisanship and rancor, it is good to honor Joe's 
dedication to a simple goal: helping people. Joe seemed to like 
everyone he met, and he went out of his way to steer power of 
government to helping people, one by one, as he learned of their 
difficulties. He was a master of his craft.
  Although it might not get as much attention as other aspects of the 
job, helping constituents navigate through their government is one of 
the most important roles we play as Members of Congress. Federal 
bureaucracy can be difficult, overwhelming, and frustrating. We can't 
seek special treatment, but we can ask questions and demand 
accountability, helping to cut the redtape that often stands in a 
constituent's way.
  Joe knew the questions to ask and the people to call. He worked 
tirelessly with his staff. He returned calls and wrote letters promptly 
and exhausted

[[Page S6461]]

every option available to the constituent. Joe truly cared about Rhode 
Island and its people. And he got results.
  Joe was very helpful to me in my run for Senate in 2006. After my 
election, I sought Joe's advice as I set up my office in Rhode Island. 
He gave generously of his time and expertise, and many, if not all, of 
his words of wisdom are in use in my office today. I will always be 
grateful to him for that.
  I will also be grateful for his friendship through the years, and I 
will miss him dearly.
  I send my condolences to Joe's beloved wife, Jeannine; his children, 
Deborah, Stephen, and Susan; and the entire Scanlon family. Rhode 
Island was fortunate to have had such a committed, energetic, and 
selfless citizen.
  Godspeed, my friend.

                          ____________________