[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1021-E1022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSEPH E. RYAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2016

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 
life of Joseph E. Ryan, a man who served his country, city and 
community in times of need. A leader on the field of battle so many 
times and in so many ways, Joe Ryan lived a life full of triumph and 
tragedy that is testament to his indomitable spirit and determination 
to make a difference in this world.
   The first born in a family of ten, Joe Ryan graduated from St. 
Joseph's Collegiate Institute in 1961, where he was class president and 
an all-Catholic and all-Western New York football player. He went on to 
earn his degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell 
University, while also capturing all-Ivy League honors as a center and 
linebacker on the football team.
   Mr. Ryan served in the Navy from 1965 to 1969, in which he spent 17 
months in Vietnam as a diving team commander. He earned the Bronze Star 
for his actions and rose to the rank of lieutenant before returning 
home from service.
   Upon his return, Mr. Ryan's involvement and influence in the 
community began and grew for more than forty years. An engineering 
consultant in 1971, the late Mayor Frank Sedita tapped this rebel with 
a cause to serve as the executive director of the Citizens Advisory 
Committee, where he energetically directed the Community Development 
Block Grant program and fostered the growth of local nonprofit 
neighborhood groups.
   In 1982, he helped found the local Vietnam Veterans Leadership 
Program and served as its first president. A horrific bicycle accident 
in 1985 would leave Mr. Ryan paralyzed but his efforts to assist others 
in need could never be contained as even from his hospital bed he 
finalized arrangements for his self-created Best of the Turtles race to 
raise scholarship money for the children of local Vietnam veterans.
   In 1998, City of Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello appointed him as 
Community Development Commissioner. Mr. Ryan remained in that position 
for more than four years leading the creation of the Department of 
Strategic Planning and a focused effort to engage residents in planning 
initiatives to revitalize neighborhoods.
   With staunch determination to be an advocate for others, Joe Ryan 
volunteered countless hours to the community and those in need. He 
served on the national board of directors of the Eastern Paralyzed 
Veterans, which advocated for veterans on health care issues. He took 
part in the Paralyzed Veterans America Wheelchair Games in 1987, 
helping raise money for the Erie County Medical Center spinal cord 
injury unit.
   He served as a chairman of the Board of Managers for Erie County 
Medical Center in the 1990's and was President of the Friends of the 
Night People. Mr. Ryan had also been on the board of directors of St. 
Joseph's Collegiate Institute, and a board member of the National 
Spinal Cord Injury Association, the Buffalo Area Council of Alcoholism 
and Substance Abuse, the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and the 
Cornell University Presidential Council.
   Mr. Ryan was justifiably recognized many times for his life's work 
in public service. He received the D'Youville College Community Service 
Award, and was named Buffalo News Citizen of the Year in 1986. He was 
given the Clarkson Center's Courage to Come Back Award for devoting his 
talents to providing customized housing that allow people with 
disabilities to live independently.

[[Page E1022]]

   And while he lived an independent and purposeful life, little would 
have been possible without the unconditional, unyielding love and 
loyalty of his devoted wife of 44 years, Eileen and their greatest 
shared accomplishment, son Sean, a former NFL player.
   Mr. Speaker, I honor the life of Mr. Joseph E. Ryan. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in expressing our deepest condolences to all of the 
Ryan family, including his daughter-in-law, Mary Elizabeth, his 
grandchildren, Emmie, Sienna and Colin, his brothers, sisters and many 
friends and colleagues as they join together at a celebration of his 
life on Saturday, June 25 at St. Joseph's University Church.
   The extraordinary story of his life will continue to be told by all 
those who will always remember: here was a man who could not stand 
himself, yet made it his life's work to always stand up for others.

                          ____________________