Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Leo J. Ryan Post Office Dedication

           On Monday, November 17^th, we had a beautiful ceremony to rename the Post Office at 210 South Ellsworth Avenue in San Mateo the “Leo J. Ryan Post Office”.  In response to your requests, here’s the text of my remarks at the ceremony:

               Tomorrow marks the 30^th anniversary of Congressman Leo J. Ryan’s passing. But today, on this beautiful Peninsula morning, we celebrate his life.

I am happy to be spending this day with Pat and Erin Ryan. We heard them speak about how the world would be a better place if their father was still here. I have no doubt about that.

I also have no doubt that the world IS a better place because of the time, however short, that Leo Ryan WAS here.

Nowadays, anyone elected to public office is called a leader. But the truth is, we often do more following than leading. A leader takes risks. A leader doesn’t play it safe. A leader puts himself or herself in more danger than those behind them.

Leo Ryan was a leader.

Earlier, we watched a video tribute which highlighted four of the many causes that Leo fought for. I was struck with the thought that all four of these issues had one thing in common: There wasn’t a vote to be gained in any of them.

He fought for the rights of felons serving time in Folsom Prison even though being “tough on crime” is what wins elections.

He went to Watts to teach inner-city students at a time when his district had very few African-American constituents.

He literally put his life on the line to protect seals. And Canadian seals at that!

And, ultimately, he sacrificed that life while rescuing people so powerless and dispossessed that they left America to live in the jungles of South America.

Today we pay tribute to this remarkable man, inspirational mentor, loving father and hard-working Congressman. But, as in his life, Leo Ryan’s work is not without criticism.

There are those - still, thirty years after his passing - who question his motives, or the wisdom of his actions. But criticism was just fine with Leo.   Leo Ryan never did anything because he thought it would make him popular. He was more interested in doing what he knew was right.

            We recall his words from decades ago and they sound like they could have been spoken yesterday: He tells us the way to get out of a war that makes no sense for our young people to be dying in, is to just do it.

            He questions the sanity of anyone who thinks, in order to maintain security, we must limit communication.

            He says that talking to each other and voicing dissent for the policies of our government is the whole point of being an American.

            Last week, I was interviewed by a reporter who knew Leo Ryan many years ago. She asked if I thought he was “really an intellectual posing as a tough guy.”

            I laughed. Sure Leo was smart and well-read. He had a remarkably agile mind and a way of expressing himself that was nothing short of brilliant. But Leo Ryan never POSED as anything.

When he was elected to Congress in 1972, Leo Ryan set up his district office right here, in San Mateo, at 210 South Ellsworth Avenue.

            I can think of no more fitting place for Leo Ryan to work than a Post Office, because Leo was the consummate civil servant. 

            He served his country - and his community - his entire life. Whether in the United States Navy, or teaching at Capuchino High School, or serving in elected office, Leo Ryan lived his life in the service of others. He was always thinking of those less fortunate than himself - the guy who was getting the raw deal, the short end of the stick.

In April, when I was sworn into Congress to fill the seat that he once held, I recalled three things that Leo Ryan taught me:  Question the status quo, listen to the people you represent, and always stand up for what you believe in --- even if you have to stand alone.

In college, I interned in his office when he was in the State Assembly. I took his “question the status quo” advice to heart and wrote a paper for my political science class criticizing the way he ran his office.

            Of course, I had no idea he would ever read the paper. But he found it… and read it. Then he called me into his office. That’s when the “stand up for what you believe in” was really put to the test. 

I was sure I was about to be fired.     

My professor at UC Davis had given me an A- on the paper. Leo changed the grade to a C-. Then he told me: “Someone has to teach you how to write.” Then he set out to do just that. It was one of many things that I am privileged to have learned from this marvelous teacher.

            Not a day goes by that I do not think of Leo Ryan. Now, future generations will be introduced to his legacy when entering this post office. If just one young person is inspired enough by his story to pursue a career in public service, that would be a fitting tribute to this good and noble man.

You know, t he United States Postal Service has a motto: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

            Leo Ryan never had a motto that I know of. But if he did, it would be just slightly different from the postal worker’s creed. Maybe something like: “Neither bureaucrats, nor reporters, nor lobbyists, nor gloom of public opinion stays this servant from the completion of his life’s calling.”

            And we are all better off because he chose to do his work here.

Comments

• HR 6458 – Establishing a National Speed Limit
• Keeping Our Promise to America’s Veterans
• Reforming Congress
• Stars of the 12th

Read My Blog

Leo J. Ryan Post Office Dedication

           On Monday, November 17th, we had a beautiful ceremony to rename the Post Office at 210 South Ellsworth Avenue in San Mateo the “Leo J. Ryan Post Office”.  In response to your requests, here’s the text of my remarks ...(more)
Posted on: 11-17-2008