[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD ``RICK'' HEALY

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my profound thanks 
for the service and best wishes on the retirement of Rick Healy. Rick 
has worked in the House of Representatives for over 35 years, which is 
multiple lifetimes here on the Hill.
  Rick's career in the House encompassed more than three decades of 
dedicated service to the people of Minnesota's 4th Congressional 
District, to the House Natural Resources Committee, and to the 
Appropriations Committee.
  I was fortunate enough to have Rick work with me as the Democratic 
Clerk for the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee during his last 
year, before departing this month to work with our former Chairman Jim 
Moran in the private sector.
  Rick is a proud son of St. Paul. He graduated from St. Thomas, and 
his wife, Cecilia, is a St. Kate's grad. The first Congressional 
experience Rick gained was as an intern with his Member of Congress, 
Representative Bruce Vento. He then joined the Congressman's staff in 
DC working on environmental issues in 1980. When Bruce became the 
Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public 
Lands, Rick left his personal office and joined the Subcommittee staff.
  Congressman Vento is remembered both in Minnesota and nationally for 
his tremendous dedication and passion for the conservation of America's 
wilderness and natural treasures. Rick Healy played a pivotal role in 
advancing those efforts. He supported Chairman Vento and his successors 
in crafting much of the major public lands legislation passed through 
the Resources Committee over the next 25 years.
  Rick's knowledge and experience was instrumental in issues of 
importance to Minnesota, like the management of the St. Croix National 
Scenic River and the establishment of the Mississippi National River 
and Recreation Area.
  Rick was a tremendous help to me when I was first elected after 
Congressman Vento passed away in 2000, and provided valuable council on 
environmental issues as I followed in our friend and mentor Bruce's 
legacy by serving on the Resources Committee.
  As a staffer who has been here longer than almost all of the Members 
serving in this body, Rick Healy assisted his Chairs and Ranking 
Members through the ups and downs of Majority and Minority.
  And, five years ago, when he joined the Appropriations Committee, he 
brought that institutional knowledge to the work of funding and 
improving our nation's public lands, our environmental stewardship, our 
trust and treaty responsibilities with tribal nations, and our 
investment in the arts and humanities. Rick has been an invaluable 
resource on the Appropriations Committee.
  I, along with many other Members and staff, will miss his depth of 
knowledge, his expertise and insight, his hard work, and his sense of 
humor.
  Rick, we wish you the best of luck.

                          ____________________