ROKITA
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 2, 2015
Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard D. ``Dick''
Gilroy, a great Hoosier and valued friend who passed away on January
25, 2015. On that Sunday evening we lost a committed husband and
father, as well as a dedicated community servant. I consider the words
recorded on the floor of this House to be the official record of our
nation. As such, please allow me to submit the following:
After law school, Dick Gilroy joined the office of former
Indianapolis Mayor, Richard G. Lugar, where he served the citizens of
the city admirably and where he met Sue Anne Starnes, who he would
marry in 1973.
Having been a member of the United States Army Reserve, Dick Gilroy
was a patriot who cared deeply for our nation and the ideals of
American Exceptionalism. As one who believed deeply in the sacred
American principle of ``innocent until proven guilty,'' Dick continued
to serve the people of Indianapolis as a public defender, and later as
a Magistrate Judge.
Always close to politics and public service, Dick Gilroy was the
perfect spouse ``behind the scenes'' as his cherished wife ran for
statewide office and served two celebrated terms as Indiana's 58th
Secretary of State.
Mr. Speaker, we live in an age when the spouse of an elected official
may often times play an integral role in the success of the official's
public service. The unelected spouse will often share the work and time
commitment of his/her partner. Dick Gilroy understood the significance
of this role and executed it faithfully always supporting the efforts
of his wife and understanding her commitment to public service. For
that reason he was a tremendous asset to Sue Anne and her staff alike.
In that role he greatly served the state and country he loved so much.
Dick believed in using his talents and passion to improve the lives
of those in his church and community. He created Young Life basketball
and tutoring program through Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and led the
ministry for ten years. The program influenced the lives of those who
participated and the volunteers who supported it. Dick is still
referred to as ``Coach Gilroy'' by those who participated in the
program.
As another Gilroy family friend recently remarked, Dick Gilroy was
the ``salt-of-the-earth'' and one of the ``best'' human beings anyone
would come across. Those of us who were lucky enough to ``experience''
Dick Gilroy, whether we are former Gilroy staffers, personal friends,
professional colleagues, or community leaders, could not be more in
agreement with these statements.
He was a caring and strong father, a loving husband, and a great
mentor to young lawyers and public servants like me. Aside from
coaching troubled kids, he played a great deal of sports himself,
including hockey. I remember Dick telling me one time when I was
playing as an adult that ``the only appropriate beverage after a hockey
game is a LaBatt's Blue.'' Growing up in Detroit, and being so close to
our northern neighbor, Dick was always allowed this one indiscretion.
Dick Gilroy leaves his wife of 41 years, who along with him, serves
as a mentor and friend to Kathy and me. He also leaves his son, Grant,
and two granddaughters. Dick has finally been reunited with the
Gilroy's beloved daughter, Emily, who preceded him in death.
While leaders always lead, and the leadership that the Gilroy family
has provided Indiana for so many years will certainly continue on,
Hoosiers experienced a setback in losing Dick Gilroy so unexpectedly.
Because so many of us gained so much from him and the quiet leadership
he provided, he will always be cherished, missed, and emulated.
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