[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF RICHARD J. WILD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 9, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard J. 
Wild upon his retirement as athletic director of Saint Ignatius of 
Antioch School, and to celebrate over 30 years of service to the Church 
as well as the surrounding community.
  Rich began his avocation in the 1970s as an engaged parent, hoping to 
be more involved in the development of his children. As his children 
grew and moved on, Rich recognized the importance of the athletic 
program to the St. Ignatius parish as well as the community as a whole. 
In 1979, Rich agreed to become the Activities and Athletic Director; he 
quickly set out to revitalize the program and ensure that all youth who 
wanted to participate in sports had a place to go.
  The early years of Rich's tenure were challenging. As the parish 
community shrunk and enrollment at the school shrunk, St. Ignatius 
faced the dim proposition of cutting back programming or eliminating 
whole sports. However, Rich refused to accept the idea that limiting 
access to athletics was the only course of action. Instead, Rich 
developed an innovative athletic program that adapted to the changing 
parish environment and expanded its reach to the whole community. As a 
result, the St. Ignatius athletic program thrived while serving more 
youth.
  Today, the St. Ignatius of Antioch parish athletic program serves 345 
youth from over fifty schools. Rich Wild has taken a parish-based 
program and, with three decades worth of compassion, commitment, and 
unfailing determination, has turned it into a community institution.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Rich Wild on 
the occasion of his retirement, and in celebrating his dedication to 
St. Ignatius of Antioch parish. As Rich enters into the next phase of 
his life accompanied by his loving wife Georgia, three children and 
seven grandchildren, the fruits of his labor will be enjoyed for 
generations to come.

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