December 9, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2347 

qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. 

Ryan has been very active with his troop, 

participating in many Scout activities. Over the 

many years Ryan has been involved with 

Scouting, he has not only earned numerous 

merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. 

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join 

me in commending Ryan Russell Donaldson 

for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts 

of America and for his efforts put forth in 

achieving the highest distinction of Eagle 

Scout. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO ROBERT F. NOLAN 

HON. JOSE ́ E. SERRANO OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 

Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to honor Robert F. Nolan, a man who 

has made service to our community his pride 

and his life’s work. In his capacity as an advisor to three Bronx Borough presidents during 

some of the most turbulent times our city has 

ever witnessed, time and again Bob was confronted with singular challenges that would 

have reduced a lesser figure to despair and 

resignation. Instead Bob rose to the occasion, 

time and time again. He took part in some of 

the most momentous decisions that could confront a public official, and he did so with poise, 

clarity of purpose, and unusual dedication. 

Bob has been one of the truest and finest examples of a public servant who never gave up 

on the Bronx, but instead continued to serve 

through the hardest of times. He committed 

himself at a young age to improving his beloved community, and has had the endurance 

and strength of character to spend a lifetime 

in pursuit of this goal. While many have come 

and gone, Bob has never left the Bronx—and 

the Bronx cannot possibly forget that fact. 

Born in Westchester Square Hospital, Bob 

Nolan was educated at Our Lady of Solace 

School in Morris Park and then Fordham University. A community and political activist 

since the early 1970s, he began his career as 

an instructor at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Later, he moved on to the 

mayor’s office of economic development, 

where he was in charge of the business action 

center. In January 1979, Bob joined the office 

of the Bronx Borough president as director of 

economic development. He quickly set in motion the plan which led to the creation of the 

Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation in 1980. 

The 1980s were a critical period for the 

Bronx. The previous two decades saw the 

quality of life in the Bronx dramatically diminish. A widespread deterioration was underway, 

as the city suffered the aftermath of a painful 

fiscal collapse. Some neighborhoods felt the 

hurt more than others, but few felt it worse 

than the South Bronx. This was the climate in 

which Bob began his journey to restore our 

borough’s greatness. 

This was no easy task. At the time, private 

and public disinvestment had taken a huge toll 

on many Bronx neighborhoods. But these circumstances neither deterred nor discouraged 

Bob. Perhaps his work is best judged by the 

vitality we have witnessed in our borough in 

recent years. Across the board, the Bronx has 

undergone a remarkable transformation—and 

credit should rightly be given to the sound fiscal and public investment policies first championed by Bob and his colleagues at the very 

dawn of our borough’s resurgence. His 

thoughtful planning and careful stewardship 

helped pave the way for innumerable capital 

projects and a wholesale restoration of confidence in the borough on the part of the city’s 

business community. Bob helped demonstrate 

that the Bronx was once again a fertile place 

for investment. 

In the 1990s, Bob was appointed budget director for the borough, a position he held until 

the day he retired—November 14, 2008. His 

role as budget director required Bob to recommend capital projects to the borough president and help shape budgets and establish 

spending priorities that furthered past efforts 

and blazed new paths toward economic revival. We will undoubtedly continue to see the 

fruits of Bob’s labor for many years to come. 

Looking back at this extraordinary life of 

service, what is unique about Bob Nolan’s 

story is the completeness of it. Three decades 

ago, Bob set out to make the Bronx a better 

place, working tirelessly from within the halls 

of government. These many years later, he retires with that goal now very much in his 

sights. He has had many different responsibilities over the years, but the same motivating 

factor: a love for his borough and its people. 

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I 

ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 

to Mr. Robert F. Nolan, a man who loves his 

hometown fiercely and whose whole life is a 

unique testament to civic duty. 

f 

HONORING THE MILITARY 

SERVICE OF FRED STERN 

HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN OF SOUTH DAKOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 

Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, 

I would like to recognize the heroic and distinguished actions of Fred Stern of Aberdeen, 

South Dakota, who will be honored with several long-overdue medals, including the 

Bronze Star Medal, for his service during 

World War II. 

Fred was born near Webster, South Dakota, 

on October 21, 1908. He was inducted into 

the U.S. Army at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, on 

June 10, 1942, and received his basic training 

at Camp Rucker, Alabama. Fred served in 

World War II’s Pacific Theater from 1942 to 

1945. He was a member of the 322nd Regiment Combat Team of the 81st Infantry, Wildcats, Division in the battle for the Palau Islands. 

The 322nd participated in the famed assault 

on the small island of Anguar—a hard-fought 

battle against the island’s Japanese occupants. For his dedicated service, Fred received the Good Conduct Medal, Philippine 

Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service 

Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the 

war, he returned to South Dakota where he 

farmed, worked for the Brown County Implement, and as a painter before retiring. 

Madam Speaker, I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my gratitude to Mr. Fred 

Stern and congratulate his receipt of the 

Bronze Star Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign 

Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and one 

Bronze Arrowhead, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp. 

We are all proud and thankful for all that he 

has done in the service of the United States 

of America. The lives of countless people 

have been enormously enhanced by his compassion and service. Fred represents the best 

of the United States, South Dakota, and the 

Army. He continues to inspire all those who 

know him and hear his story of sacrifice. Our 

Nation and the State of South Dakota are far 

better places because of his service, and the 

best way to honor him is to emulate his devotion to our country. 

I join with all South Dakotans in expressing 

my appreciation to Fred. His commitment to 

and sacrifice for our Nation will never be forgotten. 

f 

HONORING SPENCER JOSEPH FISH 

HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly 

pause to recognize Spencer Joseph Fish of 

Liberty, Missouri. Spencer is a very special 

young man who has exemplified the finest 

qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. 

Spencer has been very active with his troop, 

participating in many Scout activities. Over the 

many years Spencer has been involved with 

Scouting, he has not only earned numerous 

merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. 

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join 

me in commending Spencer Joseph Fish for 

his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of 

America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO RICK STAATS 

HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 

Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I would 

like to pay tribute to Rick Staats, a man whose 

passion and energy for conservative principles 

in northern California have made a great contribution to the region. 

Rick was born on August 1, 1943, in Berkeley, CA, where he grew up. After graduating 

from Berkeley High School, Rick left California 

to attend the University of Oregon. 

After college, Rick returned to California and 

became active in politics. While living in the 

Bay Area, Rick served as the Alameda County 

chairman for the U.S. Senate campaign of 

then-State Senator H.L. Richardson. Rick was 

also an alternate delegate for the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City. 

Rick’s political activism eventually led him to 

Sacramento in 1978. At that time, Rick and I 

served together on the staff of Senator Richardson, and 2 years later Rick was an integral 


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