[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E93-E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING KENNETH C. RYKEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2020

  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and 
honor the life

[[Page E94]]

and memory of Kenneth C. Ryken, who recently passed away.
   Ken was born in Walnut Creek, California on April 27, 1965, to proud 
parents Richard and Deanna Ryken. He grew up in the East Bay where he 
attended and graduated from Hayward High School in 1983. Upon 
graduating from high school, Ken went on to study at Chabot College, 
San Francisco State University, and the University of Southern 
California, where he received his law degree.
   After graduating law school, Ken began practicing law with Sedgwick 
LLP, and in 1996 he joined the Alameda County District Attorney's 
office where I had the privilege of having him as a colleague. Ken 
served as the office's finance director and an assistant district 
attorney until his passing on January 5, 2020. Ken was frequently 
described as a ``rock'' and a ``shining star'' by his colleagues and 
superiors.
   One of the accomplishments Ken was most proud of during his career 
was the creation of Clean Slate Services in collaboration with the East 
Bay Community Law Center. This practice helps reduce the pathways into 
the criminal justice system and removes barriers to employment and 
civic participation for people with criminal records. Ken's work was 
pivotal to the creation of this program, and it is only one of the many 
highlights of his career.
   Ken's commitment to public service and his community extended beyond 
working for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. Ken was a 
proud member of the 100 Club and the Hayward Rotary Club, and he served 
on the board of directors for the Hayward Area Historical Society. 
Outside of work Ken was known to be a music enthusiast who especially 
loved his bass guitar.
   We lost Ken far too soon. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, 
Jean Luevano, as well as his children, Jackson and Lauren, grandson, 
Wesley, parents, Dick and Deanna, and siblings, Tim and Kathy. Ken 
loved spending time with his family and was always a proud husband, 
father, and grandfather. His legacy will live on through them and the 
everlasting impact he made on our community.

                          ____________________