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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING RICK KLEVEN ON A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT
______
HON. TOM EMMER
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 15, 2020
Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise together with my colleague from
Minnesota Representative Craig to congratulate Richard ``Rick'' Kleven
on his retirement at the end of June after more than 39 years with
Thrivent. Throughout his nearly four decades of service with Thrivent,
Rick has become a pillar of the Twin Cities community, leading
Thrivent's government affairs efforts to educate federal and state
policymakers about the important role that fraternal benefit societies
play in society, helping people achieve financial security and live
generous lives through important charitable and volunteer efforts that
include disaster relief, partnering with organizations that address
housing insecurity, and tens of thousands of individual service
projects. These efforts have had a great impact not just in my
district, but for the entire region and nation. Rick's dedication,
commitment, and enthusiasm for Thrivent's unique mission--connecting
insurance protection with community service--has been inspiring to
watch and work with him on; for me, both during my time serving in the
U.S. Congress and the Minnesota state House of Representatives.
A lifelong Minnesotan and proud ``Iron-Ranger'' who grew up in Grand
Rapids, MN, Rick is a true Minnesota sports team fan, particularly a
diehard for our Vikings. He received his J.D. from the University of
Minnesota Law School and his B.A. from the University of Minnesota--
Duluth. Rick has led Thrivent's Government Affairs activities for more
than 17 years, and served previously in a number of roles as legal
counsel and manager of corporate legal functions within the
organization through his long arc of service which began in 1981 when
Thrivent was Lutheran Brotherhood.
Rick has been a great advocate on policy matters on Thrivent's
behalf, but also walks the walk of Thrivent's mission of service--
something he learned from both of his parents, including his Dad who
was awarded Itasca County's Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year in
2018. Rick has volunteered as a Big Brother, served as a board member
for multiple nonprofit organizations, and epitomizes the ubiquitous
Thrivent T-shirt that says ``Live Generously.'' Recently, he served as
Chairman of the Board of Gilda's Club Twin Cities, and played a crucial
role in helping to raise money to build the organization's clubhouse
that provides support for people with cancer as well as their families
and friends. Rick also served for 8 years on the board of Person to
Person, a charitable organization that operates Meals on Wheels and
various other programs to help the needy in the Twin Cities area. He
also was part of the original start-up board of FINNEGANS, the first
beer company in the world to donate 100 percent of profits back to
local food shelves. Rick currently sits on the board of the American
Fraternal Alliance, the nationwide coalition of not-for-profit
fraternal benefit societies.
I, along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle,
including Representative Craig who represents Rick's hometown of Eagan,
will miss seeing him here in Washington. I'm sure his friendly face and
open heart will remain a pivotal part of the Twin Cities community for
a long time to come. We wish him all the best and hope in retirement he
can continue to indulge in his favorite hobbies: making the world
better for his wife, two Aussies, and fellow Minnesotans as well as
finding even more ways to support Rock n' Roll! Congratulations, Rick--
Here Comes the Sun.
____________________
