[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MR. RONALD REED

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Ronald Reed of 
Taylor, Michigan. A Vietnam veteran and retiree of General Motors, 
where he spent 42 years, Mr. Reed has been donating blood since his 
early days as a young Marine in Okinawa, Japan.
  During the last 35 years, Ronald has donated blood nearly 200 times--
impacting the lives of close to 600 people. Each blood donation has the 
ability to touch up to three lives, and his selflessness is an 
inspiration for all of us. Few Americans can say they have touched that 
many lives.
  Blood donations here in the United States are incredibly important, 
and we face a constant struggle to prevent shortages of available 
blood. The average able donor gives about 1.2 times annually. If others 
followed the leadership of Mr. Reed and gave two or more times a year, 
we would not face the frightening need particularly in times of bad 
weather and holidays. Mr. Reed's above and beyond level of donation is 
truly remarkable and deserves recognition.
  When it comes to his service to his fellow man, Ronald is an 
extremely modest man. He says he simply gives because he can. In my 
opinion, Mr. Reed fully embodies the American spirit as both a veteran 
and a hard and loyal worker, giving his own blood to help those in his 
community.
  A volunteer at a Riverview Red Cross location in 2011 observed that 
Ronald is ``an unsung hero''. It is for this reason Mr. Speaker, that I 
ask my colleagues today to join me in honoring Ronald Reed for his 
generous contributions. I thank him not only for his overwhelming 
donation of blood, but also for his years of service in the auto 
industry as a millwright, as well as his service to our country as a 
Marine.

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