Richard Ryan

Dated Old Photographs

Topics:

Richard Ryan

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD RYAN

______

HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to my dear friend, Richard (Dick) Ryan, on the occasion of his retirement from the Detroit News after 40 years of distinguished service.

A Michigan native, Dick graduated from Wayne State University in 1963 with a major in journalism. Prior to joining the Detroit News in 1966, he worked at the Muskegon Chronicle and the Toledo Blade.

Over the span of his career, Dick has been an eyewitness to four decades of national politics, covering the White House, Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has covered seven presidents, reporting on such historical events as the Watergate scandal, Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel and President Reagan's famous ``tear down this wall'' speech in Berlin. Because of Dick's reporting skills, Detroiters were always well-informed on some of the most important events in the world.

Currently, Dick is president of the Gridiron Club, an organization of 65 Washington-based journalists. He was also the 2001 president of the National Press Club.

For all that Dick has done in Washington, he has never forgotten about where he is from and who is reading his stories. While he has become a familiar face here in Washington, he has stayed committed to the people of Detroit and southeastern Michigan.

His many accomplishments serve as a lasting example of excellence in journalism. Michigan has been well-served by Dick Ryan, his insight and knowledge of Michigan politics will be deeply missed.

I would like to thank Dick for his dedicated service both to the Detroit News and the Michigan Community. As he enters his retirement years, I would ask that my colleagues join with Deborah and I to wish him and his wife, Dorothy, a very happy, healthy and relaxing future.