[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17946]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN PHIL RUHLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sympathies to 
a wonderful Rhode Island family who has lost a devoted loved one: 
Captain Phil Ruhle of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
  Captain Ruhle was a life-long professional fisherman and the captain 
of the Sea Breeze that capsized off the coast of New Jersey last 
Wednesday night. He was the center of 5 generations of fishermen, 
including his grandfather, his father, his brother, his son, and 
grandson.
  In recent years, Captain Ruhle took an active role in work to improve 
industry conditions for fishermen. He was even awarded NOAA's 
Environmental Hero Award in 2003 for his ``tireless efforts to preserve 
and protect our Nation's environment.'' Captain Ruhle was instrumental 
in developing the innovative ``Eliminator'' net, which will benefit 
fishermen and our environment for generations.
  Captain Ruhle was valued as an intelligent and passionate advocate 
and adviser for fishermen across the country. His presence, especially 
his familiar voice, will be missed by his fellow fishermen, by Federal 
fishing regulators and by all who cared about the future of the fishing 
industry.
  I share in the sorrow at the loss of Captain Ruhle with his wife 
Donna, his mother Gloria, his children Phil, Jr., Roger and Alicia, all 
his grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. While this is a 
sad time for all of us, we take solace in knowing that Captain Ruhle 
lived his life to the fullest and left behind him a world which, 
because of his life, was kinder, more passionate and more generous.

                          ____________________