Text of Introduction Speech by Ryan's Mother

Good afternoon. My name is Arlene Fleischmann and I am proudly Ryan Spiegel's mom.

I am also a 30 year veteran of public education with 22 years experience as a high school teacher and 8 years of experience as a trainer of teachers. Ryan is a teacher's kid. And as a graduate of a Maryland public high school and as graduate magna cum laude of the University of Maryland, College Park--Ryan understands that public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and each citizen's key to building a just and productive society. Ryan understands that the teacher is the major factor in a child's success and to that end, especially in a time when the hiring of highly qualified teachers has become more and more of a challenge, Ryan has supported pension reform in order to attract the best and the brightest to the state of Maryland and in order to retain the highly qualified teachers we have trained here at home. As a member of the Gaithersburg Education Committee, Ryan continues to fight for more funding for school construction. He understands the need to modernize school facilities, renovate crumbling structures and to build state of the art schools that will take our children into the 21st century and beyond. Ryan continues to fight for a reduction in the soaring cost of college tuition. As a son of Maryland, he seeks to provide the same opportunities to others that were afforded him as a Banneker Key Scholar of the University of Maryland. It was public education in Maryland that prepared Ryan Spiegel for Stanford Law School and it was his beloved Maryland that brought him home to work for public safety, the preservation of our open spaces, new technologies to reduce pollution, greater access to health care for all--to seek viable solutions to eliminate gang violence and to promote a healthy and vibrant economy--to ensure our kids are safe and that their schooling enables them to solve complex problems that we have not as yet dreamed of.

I am also a first generation American. Ryan's grandparents fled the Holocaust of Europe to find promise in this great land. Ryan is the first born grandchild in this country and he bears that responsibility with dignity and courage. He understands the struggle of those "yearning to be free" and is committed to fixing our immigration system and to reaching out to our immigrant communities who have contributed to making this diverse nation--one great nation that recognizes, employs and rewards the gifts of those who come to its shores.

As an attorney in the international law firm of Winston and Strawn, Ryan Spiegel has spent hundreds of hours giving a voice to those who have not been heard. He has worked on cases ranging from death penalty appeals, to protecting tenants from wrongful eviction, to seeking asylum for those who have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. Ryan Spiegel has protected voters' rights on election day and as Chair of the Victims Advisory Board of Montgomery County, he works ceaselessly for better services for victims of crime--particularly victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Ryan's passion for social justice has been demonstrated throughout his career. He volunteered at the US embassy in the Hague where he assisted in prosecution of war criminals like Slobodan Milosevic. He was part of the team that successfully defended the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law against a lawsuit by NRA. And he has learned from the masters through internships with Ben Cardin and federal judge Colleen Kollar Kotelly of the US District Court for the district of Columbia.

Ryan Spiegel is my son. Called to action. Called to serve the people of Montgomery County, District 17. Called to serve the people of Maryland with innovation, perseverance, empathy, and courage. Ryan Spiegel is my son... but he is also the spirit and energy of a new generation of public servants who will work to engage us in our liberties, protect us and guide us to be the best we can be.
I give you Ryan Spiegel.