[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING RICK FLYNN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2015

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rick Flynn, who is 
well known as an advocate for educators in Macomb County, Michigan. On 
December 10th, friends of Rick's from throughout Michigan will gather 
to celebrate his retirement from the Michigan Education Association and 
to pay tribute to him for his outstanding service.
  Rick's deep involvement in the MEA and his policy advocacy at the 
local, state and national levels has been rooted in his strong 
conviction that all students deserve a high quality education, and that 
educators must have the tools and resources they need to provide 
students with this education. It has been said that Rick has held 
nearly every conceivable leadership position in the MEA, which, when 
one reviews his career, seems possible. He served as president of the 
Fraser Education Association, as a founding member and then as 
president of MEA-NEA Local 1, as a member of the Board of Directors and 
the Executive Committee for the MEA, as an MEA Local 1 Executive 
Director, and as a member of the NEA's Board of Directors.
  Prior to representing teachers, Rick was a well-respected teacher 
himself. For 27 years he taught American Government in the Fraser 
Public Schools. As a lifelong advocate for building a stronger Macomb 
County, it was no surprise that after retiring from the classroom in 
2000, Rick applied his knowledge of government to public service of his 
own. In 2008, he was elected to the Charter Commission for Macomb 
County, which reshaped government in Michigan's 3rd largest county. 
Also in 2008, he was appointed by then-Governor Jennifer Granholm to 
serve on the Oakland University Board of Trustees, where he continues 
to serve today.
  Mr. Speaker, Rick Flynn has served students in Michigan and his 
fellow education professionals with total commitment and distinction. I 
encourage my colleagues to join me in saluting him for his service, in 
thanking his wife Linda and his sons Andy and David for supporting him 
throughout his career, and in wishing him well in his retirement from 
the MEA.

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