[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CHIEF OF STAFF RYAN THOMPSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Wright) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, what are the best things an American can do 
for his or her country?
  Public service, military service, community service.
  What does a true public servant look like?
  Someone who possesses exemplary character, integrity, and inspires 
confidence. Someone who has the network of relationships on both sides 
to be both respected and effective.
  How do you honor a man who gave 20 years to the United States 
Government and the House of Representatives, the United States Marine 
Corps Infantry, and dedicated his free time to bringing Democrats and 
Republicans together in the name of charity?
  Ryan Thompson, my trusted chief of staff and dear friend, who sits 
here with me, joins us on the House floor for the final time today.
  He has accompanied me and our former boss to the floor countless 
times and always helped us look and do our best. Today is different, 
though, because this is his moment.
  Mr. Speaker, there are proud members of the United States Marine 
Corps and there are proud graduates of Texas A&M University--Texas 
Aggies.
  Occasionally, God blesses the world by combining both of those things 
in one person. Such is the case with Ryan Thompson.
  Ryan is a proud, sixth-generation Texan of the Aggie variety, who 
serves as a past president of the Texas State Society. A true 
philanthropist, Ryan has dedicated thousands of hours over the past 
decade to organizing the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Baseball 
Game, which raises millions of dollars for local charities each year.
  Furthermore, Ryan founded and leads the Congressional Sports for 
Charity Foundation, which was created to ensure that the Congressional 
Baseball Game and other congressional charity events live on for 
decades to come.
  Ryan wisely understands that the game is not only essential to the 
many charities it helps but serves another cause in need, the Congress 
itself.
  Today, on behalf of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington, D.C.; the 
Washington Nationals Dream Foundation; and the Washington Literacy 
Council, which honored him with the Champion for Literacy Award--not to 
mention a grateful institution and Nation--thank you and happy trails 
to Ryan Scott Thompson.
  Like a Texas live oak, he is strong from the roots up.

                          ____________________