Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I wish to speak about Russ Ritter. This past week longtime Helena mayor and dedicated public servant Russ Ritter passed away at the age of 83. Russ was one of those guys who really made a notable difference in Montana, especially in our State capital of Helena. He was a true inspiration for Montanans seeking public office, and he was the first person to inspire others to run for mayor, including our current mayor, Jim Smith. Russ was instrumental in the construction of a 10-mile water treatment plant. That was a big-ticket expenditure on the part of the city, and all bonds are now paid off and the plant is up and running. I might suggest that Washington, DC, could take a few lessons from Russ Ritter. During Russ's time, Helena transformed the solid waste system, and he also helped automate the system. He provided true management of the city and improved it for generations to come by helping prevent the spread of diseases and creating a healthier Helena. Russ also had a soft spot in his heart for the USS Helena, the nuclear powered submarine. He went to the christening of the launch in 1986 and spent 9 days on the USS Helena underwater. Another great story about Russ was reported recently in the Helena Independent Record: Russ met President Ronald Reagan in Billings on August 11, 1982. But this meeting, one for which their father had planned and prepared his remarks, the children said, did not go as envisioned.…”