[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 28, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3281-S3282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           HARRY V. McKENNA FUNERAL--THE PASSING OF A PIONEER

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I rise to share with my colleagues the news 
that Harry V. McKenna died last week and I recently returned from his 
funeral in Rhode Island.
  Harry McKenna was not only the dean of broadcast journalism in our 
State for many decades, he was a premier broadcast journalist whose 
high standards remain a challenge for his successors.
  Harry became the touchstone for Rhode Island politicians until his 
retirement in 1983. It seems you would not be taken seriously as a 
candidate, unless you were interviewed by Harry McKenna.
  When I first ran for the Senate, almost 36 years ago, my first public 
interview was with Harry. His weekly ``Radio Press Conference'' ran for 
32 years and was Rhode Island's longest-running news broadcast.
  I was saddened when I learned of his death and I was touched by the 
gathering that honored him at his funeral. He was a good friend and an 
exemplary journalist.
  After he retired, I missed him. Now I miss him even more.
  My wife's and my deepest sympathy go to his wonderful wife, Julie, 
and his children and grandchildren.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of an obituary that appeared in 
the Feb. 22, 1995 issue of Providence (RI) Journal be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the obituary was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
         Harry V. McKenna; Directed News Program on Local Radio

                      (By S. Robert Chiappinelli)

       Cranston--Harry V. McKenna, the former WEAN news director 
     who became an institution himself while interviewing Rhode 
     Island's movers and shakers, died yesterday at the Roger 
     Williams Medical Center.
       Mr. McKenna, of 107 Grace St., was the husband of Jule 
     (Lister) McKenna.
       A large man with a resonant voice, blustery style, and in 
     later years, a shock of white hair, Mr. McKenna was called 
     the dean of Rhode Island news correspondents.
       His weekly Radio Press Conference ran for 32 years and was 
     Rhode Island's longest-running news broadcast.
       ``He had kind of a special place,'' former Gov. J. Joseph 
     Garrahy recalled yesterday. ``He always sat at the right-hand 
     corner of my desk at a press conference.''
       After each press conference, Mr. McKenna would collar the 
     willing governor for a special telephone interview for WEAN.
       ``We had a wonderful relationship,'' Garrahy said.
       Mr. McKenna, a member of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of 
     Fame, won respect both among politicians and fellow members 
     of the press.
       ``For more than three decades, Rhode Island radio audiences 
     tracked the course of state government and politics through 
     the WEAN news reports of Harry McKenna,'' James V. Wyman, 
     Journal-Bulletin vice president and executive editor, said.
       ``His familiar deep voice resonated with authority and 
     credibility as he applied his aggressive style to interviews 
     with key governmental officials,'' Wyman said.
       ``Harry's approach to newsgathering was both 
     straightforward and relentless. But he was known and 
     respected for his fairness.''
       Mr. McKenna joined the Journal-Bulletin in 1944 as 
     nightside police and fire reporter. In 1949, he was named 
     WEAN news director and was the station's news and public 
     affairs director when he retired. More than 1,400 persons 
     attended his retirement party in February, 1983.
       John P. Hackett, former Journal-Bulletin chief editorial 
     writer and longtime political writer who often
      teamed with Mr. McKenna on Radio Press Conference, said he 
     was a 
     [[Page S3282]]  skilled interrogator who frequently knew the 
     answer to a question before he asked it.
       ``He was a good newsman,'' Hackett said. ``He dug up more 
     stuff. He'd pass tips on to me.''
       Mr. McKenna was in great demand as a master of ceremonies 
     for community dinners, Hackett said, and his introductions 
     would be a show in themselves.
       ``Before he got through,'' Hackett said, ``he would have 
     recognized everyone in the audience.''
       M. Charles Bakst, Journal-Bulletin political columnist, 
     said: ``He was a throwback to the days when radio coverage of 
     the State House was an important part of the daily scene, and 
     governors deferred to him, giving him extensive interviews 
     and a seat of honor at press conferences.''
       ``He was a big man who could get angry and sound tough, but 
     who also had a playful, generous, patient side,'' Bakst said.
       Mr. McKenna had served on the board of directors of the 
     Associated Press Broadcasters Association, was a former 
     international vice president of the Radio and Television News 
     Directors Association, and was the first president of the 
     Rhode Island Press Club.
       In 1973, he caused a stir with a taped telephone interview 
     with underworld informant Vincent ``Big Vinnie'' Teresa from 
     a secret location. Teresa alleged that there was widespread 
     corruption in the Providence Police Department, and said New 
     England crime boss Raymond L.S. Patriarca had exerted 
     influence on the department.
       Mr. McKenna was chairman of the Traffic Safety Commission 
     of Cranston for 20 years. He also served in numerous 
     community organizations.
       Besides his wife he leaves two daughters, Constance A. 
     McKenna, and Deborah E.M. Brody, both of Cranston; a son, 
     Robert W. McKenna of Warwick, and five grandchildren.
       The funeral will be held Saturday at 8:30 a.m. from the 
     Hoey Funeral Home, 168 Academy Ave., Providence, with a Mass 
     of Christian Burial celebrated by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau at 
     10 at St. Matthew Church, Elmwood Avenue. Burial will be in 
     Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.
     

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