[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  A TRIBUTE TO KENNETH J. McGUIRE, SR.

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of our 
colleagues the incredible achievement of an outstanding American, who I 
am proud to report is a resident of Rockland County, in my 20th 
Congressional District of New York.
  Kenneth J. McGuire, Jr., is a veteran of both World War II and the 
Korean conflict. During the Second World War, he was stationed on board 
the U.S.S. Hayter, a destroyer escort class ship charged with escorting 
vessels on voyages between the United States and Europe. About 15 years 
ago, Ken initiated a project single-handedly with the ultimate 
objective of one day organizing a reunion of the crew of the Hayter. 
Since beginning this project, Ken has worked tirelessly on a full-time 
basis: Scouring ships records, interviewing known shipmates, and even 
searching through phone books. A few years ago, Ken McGuire took to the 
road, touring several Western States in hope of contacting surviving 
crewmates and urging them to join him in his quest.
  Ken McGuire's single-minded determination has paid off: This coming 
weekend, in Virginia Beach, VA, the crew of the U.S.S. Hayter is 
holding not its first reunion, but in fact its 13th annual reunion. As 
a result of his efforts, some 75 percent of Ken McGuire's crewmates 
have as of this date been accounted for. Many widows of Hayter crew 
members also attend, and look forward to receiving copies of ``Hayter's 
Highlights'', the newsletter Ken McGuire initiated and authors on a 
bimonthly basis.
  Several years ago, Ken McGuire sponsored a joint reunion with crew 
members from the Hayter in conjunction with survivors from the U.S.S. 
Davis, a Navy vessel sunk by an enemy submarine. The Hayter crew was 
instrumental in rescuing most survivors of that sinking from the 
Atlantic Ocean; accordingly, the joint reunion was a highly emotional 
and memorable event. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the reunion, 
however, is the fact that Ken McGuire arranged for members of the 
German submarine crew to attend, also.
  This weekend, the crew of the Hayter commemorates the 50th 
anniversary of the ship's original commissioning. This reunion is not 
only a tribute to Ken McGuire, a long-time resident of Monsey in 
Rockland County. It is also a tribute to his son, Michael F. McGuire, 
the director of athletics at Sullivan County Community College, also in 
my 20th Congressional District. Were it up to Ken himself, he would 
receive no kudos for his efforts above and beyond the call of duty. 
Mike is so justly proud of his dad that he made a point of asking me to 
inform the Congress of the truly remarkable accomplishments of his 
father.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I invite all of our colleagues to join with 
us in saluting the incredible achievements of the U.S.S. Hayter during 
the Second World War, and the dedicated efforts of Kenneth J. McGuire, 
Sr., in ascertaining that the brave crew of that gallant ship remains 
together.

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