; Whereas Congressman Ryan’s life was marked by his service, in the Navy during World War II, as a teacher, a school administrator, South San Francisco city councilman and mayor, and California assemblyman, before serving three terms in the House of Representatives; Whereas in his more than 40 years in elected office, Congressman Ryan worked to ensure equal treatment of all, including the least fortunate and those without a voice, and won the widespread respect of his colleagues and the people he served; Whereas Congressman Ryan took a hands-on approach to combat injustice, from taking a job as a teacher in Watts to gain insight into the causes of the Watts riots, or posing as an inmate at Folsom Prison to investigate conditions, or going to Newfoundland to see for himself about the slaughter of baby seals; Whereas in 1978 House Majority Leader James Wright described Congressman Ryan as having an “ever-ready willingness to go where suffering was”; Whereas when asked to describe his colleague, Rep. Robert Drinan of Massachusetts said in 1978 that “He was a gutsy, courageous guy,” and “When he believed in something he just pressed and pressed.”; Whereas Reverend Jim Jones’ Peoples Temple was based in San Francisco, California, and had recruited people from Congressman Ryan’s nearby San Mateo district; Whereas following negative press reports, to avoid exposure cult leader Jim Jones traveled to Guyana with his followers; Whereas in 1974 an agricultural project was established in Guyana by the Peoples Temple which would be known as Jonestown; Whereas in 1978 several stories began to surface over relatives being held in Guyana against their will and some constituents from Congressman Ryan’s district began to contact his office with concerns over their relatives in Jonestown; Whereas Congressman Ryan left for Guyana on November 14, 1978, accompanied by two congressional staffers, nine journalists, and 18 relatives of Jonestown residents