[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E687-E688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF MR. CHARLES RAGLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles 
Ragland of Palm Beach County who passed away in August after a 
courageous fight with brain cancer.
   Charles Ragland was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, 
uncle and friend. He was a decorated Vietnam Veteran, a dedicated 
public servant and inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing 
him. Following his graduation from the University of Miami in 1965, 
Charles joined the United States Army and attended Officer Candidate 
School at Fort Benning, GA. After receiving a commission as a 
Lieutenant, Mr. Ragland completed Jungle Warfare School in Panama 
before serving two years in Vietnam as a member of the First Cavalry 
Division.
   Mr. Ragland served honorably and courageously while in Vietnam, 
receiving a number of commendations for his service. He was the 
recipient of the Purple Heart, the Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, 
the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Medal, 
the Bronze Star with Valor and an additional Bronze Star.
   After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army in 1969, 
Charles began what would be a long and successful career in finance. He 
began working as the National Coordinator of State Finance Chairman for 
President Gerald Ford's 1976 Election Campaign. After leaving the 
campaign, Charles worked with Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Cancer 
Foundation in Miami and the American Red Cross--Palm Beach County 
Chapter before finding his true calling as an Investment Director with 
Wells Fargo Advisors.
   Alongside his prominent financial career, Mr. Ragland continued to 
selflessly serve his community. He served as the President of Kiwanis 
of Palm Beach as well as chairing the board of Pine Crest School at 
Boca Raton. Most notably, Charles was the Founding Board Chairman of 
Operation Homefront--Florida. His exemplary dedication to his community 
and to helping veterans in need through this organization earned him 
the prestigious Wachovia Way award in 2008 and the 2010 Wells Fargo 
Volunteer of the Year award.
   On October 29, 2010, Mr. Ragland was diagnosed with a stage four 
Glioblastoma. This highly malignant form of brain tumor is 
unfortunately difficult to treat as it reproduces quickly and is made 
up of a multitude of different cell types which do not all respond to 
treatment in the same way. Charles outlasted Glioblastoma's median 
survival rate of 14 months, fighting off the disease for nearly five 
years until his passing on August 2, 2015.
   Mr. Ragland will be sorely missed but his memory will live on 
through all of the lives he impacted. While we all are deeply saddened 
by his passing, I hope that Mr. Ragland's fight may raise awareness for 
this deadly disease so that others might beat this cancer in the 
future.
   Mr. Speaker, I speak for all of Palm Beach County in saying that we 
are grateful for Mr. Ragland's service and I know that he will live on 
in the memory of his family and friends. Charles Ragland was a soldier, 
a skilled businessman and dedicated pillar in his community, who lived 
his life in a way that we should all strive to live our own. Charles 
will be truly missed.

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