[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 164 (Thursday, October 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING RONALD K. GREENLEAF

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Katko) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Village of Hannibal 
Mayor Ronald K. Greenleaf who was recently named Veteran of the Year by 
the Oswego County Veterans Service Agency.
  Ron Greenleaf has spent the vast majority of his life in public 
service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his country and 
community.
  In 1967, he entered the United States Navy, serving in Vietnam on the 
USS Harnett County. An electrician by trade, Mr. Greenleaf assisted 
with maintenance, while contributing to the ship's overall mission of 
providing tactical assistance to American and Vietnamese forces. In 
recognition of his service, Mr. Greenleaf was recommended to receive 
the Combat Action Ribbon.
  Following his deployment, Mr. Greenleaf returned to central New York 
to pursue a career as an electrician, to raise a family, and to 
continue his service in the Navy Reserves.
  Ron Greenleaf has been married to his wife, Dawn, for 47 years, and 
together, they have two daughters. He is known for his commitment to 
his family, attending countless practices, games, dance recitals, and 
plays of his grandchildren.

  Following his retirement, Mr. Greenleaf ran for the Hannibal Village 
board, a position he was elected to in 1994, and served in for 10 
years. He then ran for the position of town supervisor where he served 
seven terms. Leaving this position in 2017, Mr. Greenleaf went on to be 
elected as the mayor of Hannibal, a role he still holds today.
  Of his many accomplishments as an elected official, Mr. Greenleaf has 
most notably worked to improve infrastructure and promote recreation in 
Hannibal. He has been praised as a driving force behind the popular 
Hannibal ramp park, a multiuse park for bikes, skateboards, and 
Rollerblades.
  Aside from his work in public service, Mr. Greenleaf has found many 
other ways to serve his community. As a member of the VFW, Hannibal 
American Legion, and chairman of the 2013 Wounded Warrior Benefit, he 
has worked to assist and support his fellow veterans through adversity 
and hardship. A deeply patriotic man, Mr. Greenleaf has given several 
speeches at Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies in and around 
Hannibal.
  On several occasion, Mr. Greenleaf donated his skills as an 
electrician to assist with repairs for in-need neighbors. Devoted to 
his faith, for many years Mr. Greenleaf has been an active participant 
in the Hannibal United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee and youth 
group leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring 
Ronald K. Greenleaf. Serving in the military, contributing as an 
elected official, and volunteering in central New York, Mr. Greenleaf 
has spent the majority of his life serving others.
  Our Nation and community need more people like Mr. Greenleaf, and we 
are inspired by and thankful for his commitment to public service.


                  Honoring the Life of Elijah Cummings

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and passing of 
my friend, Elijah Cummings.
  When I first came to Congress a few terms ago, I teamed up with Mr. 
Cummings to introduce a bill honoring the life and legacy of Harriet 
Tubman.
  When I approached Mr. Cummings about this bill, he didn't ask me what 
party I was in. He didn't ask me what my political philosophies were. 
He didn't care about partisanship. What he cared about is the fact that 
we had a common interest; that being, Harriet Tubman.
  I always appreciated that and in the years that have passed since 
then, we continued to cosponsor that bill and continued to push it.
  I am sad to hear of his passing, and I offer my prayers to his wife 
and family, and I pray that he is united with God right now. And I 
think going forward, we can all be happy and proud of the legacy he set 
for us here in Congress.

                          ____________________