“I am honoring Joel Ireland, who recently died. He was my friend and a longtime public servant in Tucson. He spent twenty years on the local school board, worked as a lawyer and a priest, and helped refugees.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a figurehead in Tucson and southern Arizona and a true Renaissance man, Joel Ireland. Joel lived a consequential life, and Tucson is better off because he lived it there. He dedicated much of his life to public service, especially to the students, families, and educators of Tucson Unified School District. He served on the TUSD Governing Board for two decades, including as board president, and he was a tireless advocate for public education. Joel’s service went far beyond the school board. He was an attorney, an Episcopal priest, an advocate for historic and cultural preservation, and someone who believed deeply in standing up for people who needed a voice. He and his church even opened their doors to refugees from Central America during the 1980s. I am proud that Joel and I shared the distinction of being the longest serving TUSD board members, a record that we both agreed would be pretty hard to break. What I will remember most about Joel is the friend. He could always make me smile, gave great advice, and was always supportive. The last time we saw each other, we talked for hours, catching up on family, politics, and, of course, a little bit of gossip. Mr. Speaker, to his amazing sons and his entire family, I send all my love. May Joel rest in power. I thank him for his life of service, friendship, and community. I am really going to miss him.”
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Speech in the House
Signal 40 of 100
Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a figurehead in Tucson and southern Arizona and a true Renaissance man, Joel Ireland. Joel lived a consequential life, and Tucson is better off because he lived it there. He dedicated much of his life to public service, especially to the students, families, and educators of Tucson Unified School District. He served on the TUSD Governing Board for two decades, including as board president, and he was a tireless advocate for public education. Joel’s service went far beyond the school board. He was an attorney, an Episcopal priest, an advocate for historic and cultural preservation, and someone who believed deeply in standing up for people who needed a voice. He and his church even opened their doors to refugees from Central America during the 1980s. I am proud that Joel and I shared the distinction of being the longest serving TUSD board members, a record that we both agreed would be pretty hard to break. What I will remember most about Joel is the friend. He could always make me smile, gave great advice, and was always supportive. The last time we saw each other, we talked for hours, catching up on family, politics, and, of course, a little bit of gossip. Mr. Speaker, to his amazing sons and his entire family, I send all my love. May Joel rest in power. I thank him for his life of service, friendship, and community. I am really going to miss him.