[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE INSPIRATIONAL LIFE OF RAYMOND NIHLEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 11, 2023

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Raymond Nihlean, a 
constituent and valued member of the Edgewater community, who believed 
in the goodness of every person. When you heard his contagious laugh, 
you knew his generous spirit would soon fill the room. His efforts 
resulted in tangible improvements in people's lives across every 
generation and background. ``Raymond was a landlord with heart,'' said 
community activist, Clare Tobin. ``He helped residents through the 
pandemic. He and his team connected renters with programs such as rent 
grants and resources for food.'' For one elderly tenant in particular, 
after finding supportive senior housing and 24/7 caregivers, Raymond 
even made funeral arrangements with her pastor.
  In classic Raymond fashion, when a teenager threw a rock that dented 
his classic 1975 Lincoln Town car, he called the school instead of the 
police, and when Raymond learned the boy had a court date, he 
accompanied him. With such support, the young man received probation 
instead of a sentence. Always sensitive to youth needs, Raymond 
mentored many young people sparking their creativity, building self-
confidence, and making them laugh. At neighborhood events, kids and 
grown-ups alike delighted in his convertible King Midget, a tiny red 
racing car with headlights that squirted water.
  ``Imagine you're at a restaurant and start singing happy birthday to 
your daughter. From across the room an energetic man with a booming 
voice and a gentle smile stands up and joins in. He's much louder than 
anyone else, with energy and body language that take over, inspiring 
everyone in the restaurant to join in. Your daughter will never forget 
the joy of that moment, and neither will you. The man who created that 
moment was Raymond,'' remembered cousin Sim from years of family 
gatherings.
  His devoted wife Tina recollects how excited Rayond was when heavy 
snow fell. He had such fun riding his red ATV snowplow over 2 miles of 
sidewalks and alleys so neighbors could safely reach shops and public 
transit. ``I always heard from neighbors how much they loved Raymond. 
Some didn't know his name, but they loved him because he plowed their 
sidewalks. They never asked, he was just always there with love and joy 
in his heart,'' according to former State Senator Carol Ronen. For 15 
years, he was a familiar early morning good Samaritan.
  Former 48th Ward Alderman, Mary Ann Smith, recalls that ``Raymond's 
$35,000 donation was the lynch pin that got city funding for 
Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management training 
program. It was attended by local business owners who wanted to take 
their company to the next level.'' Raymond was a philanthropist who 
continued to provide resources to help other entrepreneurs flourish, 
including the Edgewater Uptown Builders Association (EUBA) and other 
community organizations. ``Raymond was always generous with his time 
and resources and always knowing when and how to pitch in to fill a 
need. He personally provided and engineered state-of-the-art sound and 
visual equipment to help people communicate more effectively. Raymond 
is a one of a kind. Truly a prince of a man.'' added Jim Byrne, past 
EUBA president.
  A lasting tribute to Raymond's love for his community is the 
beautiful mosaic ``bricolage'' at the gateway to the Bryn Mawr Historic 
District. He brought the student artists lunches and treats, as well as 
donating money and materials. Raymond and Tina's wedding photo is 
memorialized in the art wall too, forever sharing their joy and love.
  Raymond's bravery inspired his medical team. ``I will always use Ray 
as an example to my staff and patients what support and advocacy can 
do,'' remembers Dr. Samman Shahpar, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. He 
further remarked at an international symposium, ``Put aside whatever 
you know about brain injuries, because there is Raymond.'' To Dr. 
Jeffrey Raizer, neuro oncologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 
``Raymond was indeed an inspirational person who fought hard against 
his GBM and by all measures Raymond had a wonderful life up until his 
passing.''
  Throughout his 6 year and 3 month survival with brain cancer, Raymond 
never lost his humor, his optimism, or his zest for life. ``Every day 
is precious, each moment was the only moment we were sure that we 
had,'' said Tina. ``In the hospital, we created our own world with 
natural sounds of birds singing and falling water. The smell of lilies 
would fill the room. We were content. Patient through the pain and the 
healing process, attentive to the details, giving and receiving 
kindness, hopeful. The Zen like quality, peacefulness and good will was 
conducive to healing for everyone entering the room. And after 21 years 
of marriage, Raymond's devotion to his wife Tina, never dimmed. Their 
friend, Ellen Pritsker knew, ``They spoke to the beauty in one 
another.'' On his final day, he and Tina were looking out of his 
hospital window at the place by the Lake where he proposed so many 
years ago. Then, with a smile on his face, he took his last breath. 
Raymond freely shared his love and his time with all who knew him. His 
generosity of spirit and deeply felt joyfulness will stay with us 
always.

                          ____________________