    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025)]
    [Extensions of Remarks]
    [Pages E172-E173]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      RECOGNIZING MR. GERARD J. GRIMALDI ON HIS RETIREMENT AND EXPRESSING
       APPRECIATION FOR A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY

                                     ______

                              HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                                  of missouri

                        in the house of representatives

                          Thursday, February 27, 2025

      Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a deep sense of gratitude
    for the opportunity to recognize a great Missourian, Mr. Gerard Joseph
    Grimaldi, for his exemplary personal and professional accomplishments
    as he begins his next chapter of life, enjoying retirement. An
    experienced leader, dedicated professional, and tireless advocate,
    Gerard serves as a prime example of a true public servant, and most
    importantly, a kind, caring, and genuine human being.
      A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Gerald was born on September 16,
    1959, to loving parents, Mary Jane and Frank Grimaldi. Along with his
    five brothers and sisters, Gerard grew up in the Crestwood neighborhood
    and their family was active at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, just
    off Troost Avenue. His parents, with strong Catholic roots, instilled a
    deep sense of faith, public service, and commitment to others,
    particularly the underserved, in all of their children.
      Gerard would continue his Jesuit education at Rockhurst High School,
    before attending the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he would
    graduate with honors in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
    Following graduation, Gerard briefly enjoyed working as a reporter for
    the Kansas City Labor Beacon, before joining the staff of U.S. Senator
    Thomas F. Eagleton. As the Senator's staff assistant, Gerard handled
    constituent services, health care access, and economic development for
    the Western region of Missouri.
      Known for his dedication, responsiveness, and affable personality,
    Gerard was hired in 1985 to serve as the District Director for U.S.
    Representative Alan Wheat, one of my predecessors. In that role, Gerard
    led the District-based team, while working closely with the Washington,
    D.C. legislative staff and leading the office's media strategy. Gerard
    worked on several successful efforts, including a new U.S. Courthouse,
    Bruce Watkins Drive, and establishment of the Harry S. Truman National
    historic site. He would serve in that role for a decade, working on
    behalf of the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.
      Following Representative Wheat's unsuccessful bid for the United
    States Senate in 1994, Gerard continued working for the newly elected
    U.S. Representative Karen McCarthy, to share his knowledge of the Fifth
    District and ensure a smooth transition, before joining Kaiser
    Permanente, a nonprofit health plan in 1995. During his six-year tenure
    at Kaiser, Gerard would ultimately be elevated to Vice President for
    Human Resources and Public Affairs. Through this experience, Gerald's
    knowledge of the local health care system continued to expand, and he
    was asked to serve on numerous civic organizations, including the
    Jackson County Mental Health Levy Board of Trustees, where he would
    serve as Board Chair for several years. Additionally, as I was serving
    as Mayor of Kansas City during this time, I had the pleasure of asking
    Gerard to serve on the Mayor's Race Relations Task Force and on the
    Board of Directors of the Mayor's Corps of Progress.
      For the past nearly 24 years, Gerard has worked at Truman Medical
    Centers (now called University Health), our area's safety net provider,
    helping to advance issues of health care access and health equity He
    has served as the Chief Health Policy and Government Relations Officer,
    where he serves in a leadership role to help educate and advocate for
    the hospital system, to ensure adequate local, state, and federal
    resources are available to meet their mission. While Gerard considers
    himself a lifelong learner, he has been instrumental in helping to
    educate others on the health care needs in our region, particularly for
    some of our most vulnerable populations.
      A comprehensive list of Gerard's accomplishments would be too
    lengthy, but just a few examples of his impact, include: securing post-
    9/11 funding to modernize the hospital for bioterrorism and mass
    casualty incidents; leading multiple public election campaigns for
    property tax levy approval; securing approval of multiple bond issues
    for capital improvements on two hospital campuses; supporting the
    Hospital Hill property acquisition efforts and urban renewal
    attainment; securing numerous Affordable Care Act grants; securing the
    hospital's selection with MO HealthNet; working alongside dozens of
    stakeholders to secure Missouri Medicaid expansion; advocating for
    vital hospital support during the COVID-19 global pandemic; providing
    community leadership by ensuring outreach and vaccinations were
    available during the pandemic; securing multiple sources of public
    funding for a Center for Recovery and Wellness, a substance use
    disorder outpatient center that

    [[Page E173]]

    opened in October 2024; and numerous additional legislative
    accomplishments.
      In addition to some of the civic engagements already mentioned,
    Gerard has served on numerous other professional and civic boards and
    committees, including with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce,
    Downtown Council, National Association of Public Hospitals, Labor
    Management Council, Missouri Hospital Association, American Hospital
    Association, Bannister Federal Complex Community Advisory Panel, Saint
    Thomas More Parish, and more recently, Gerard was honored for his
    service by being presented with the 2025 Mel and Jean Carnahan Public
    Service Award, which recognizes individuals who have dedicated their
    lives to serving the public. Former members of this esteemed body,
    including Representative Russ Carnahan and Representative Alan Wheat
    were among the many who attended the ceremony.
      Beyond his extraordinary career achievements, Gerard has always been
    a dedicated family man. He and his lovely wife, Julie, are celebrating
    nearly 32 years of marriage, and enjoy the company of their four
    children and respective families, Mary Kate Rohlfs (Brock), Caroline
    Riese (Ian), Matthew Grimaldi, and Gabrielle Grimaldi, as well as their
    grandchild, Penelope Rohlfs.
      Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me and the people of
    Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, in congratulating Mr. Gerard
    J. Grimaldi as he retires from a successful and impactful career,
    having served as a champion and ally for our underserved communities at
    the local, state, and national levels. Gerard's friendship, positivity,
    and his infectious and distinctive laugh will forever be cherished. His
    legacy will continue to impact residents and communities across
    Missouri and in our beloved Kansas City region, for generations to
    come. On behalf of my colleagues and a grateful Nation, we wish him a
    relaxing and enjoyable retirement, and thank him for his dedication and
    commitment to our community.

                              ____________________