[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 127 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN RALPH REGULA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2017

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it was my distinct honor and privilege 
to have served in the House of Representatives with Ralph Regula, who 
passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
  In 2007, I became a member of the Committee on Appropriations where 
Ralph had served for many years. He was Chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Interior and later as Chairman of the Labor and Health & Human Services 
Subcommittee. Ralph taught me a lot about how to achieve success in the 
Committee by working together cooperatively with Republicans and 
Democrats alike.
  Ralph was the Dean of the Ohio Delegation and I often heard him tell 
the story of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Park was 
established in 1974 with Ralph's leadership and his partners John 
Seiberling and Charles Vanik. I particularly recall his story of how 
the law was signed. Ralph understood that Secretary of the Interior 
Rogers Morton opposed the Park and was recommending that President 
Gerald Ford veto the bill. Ralph called former National Republican 
Committee Chairman Ray Bliss of Akron and asked him to call the 
President to explain the importance of the Park in Ohio and to point 
out that the Park could be a political issue in the Presidential 
campaign. President Ford saw the wisdom in the advice and signed the 
bill into law.
  Ralph was born on December 3, 1924 in Beach City, Ohio. Ralph served 
in the Navy during World War II and graduated in 1948 from what is now 
known as the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Originally, a 
teacher and principal who attended law school at night, Ralph served in 
the Ohio House and Senate before his election to an open Congressional 
seat in 1972. Ralph was married to his wife Mary for 66 years, and 
together they shared three adoring children.
  Ralph was an important voice in protecting important education 
programs including Pell Grants and health care programs including 
investment in medical research. Ralph helped to establish the Ohio & 
Erie Canalway, which include towpaths and historic sites. He also 
secured funding to help establish the National. First Ladies' Library, 
which was founded by his wife Mary and located in Canton, Ohio.
  Many friends and family members of the Congressman will be gathering 
to ride the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Cleveland to Zoar 
this Friday. Ralph's son Richard Regula will be leading this fitting 
commemoration in celebration of Congressman Regula's legacy.
  Ralph was always a champion of bipartisanship, oftentimes stating, 
``Listening to the points of view of others, finding common ground to 
cooperate and making friends on the `other side of the aisle' helps to 
achieve ultimate success.''
  I extend my deepest condolences to Ralph's family and friends. He was 
a true patriot who leaves behind a positive legacy in both Washington 
and Ohio. He will be deeply missed.

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