[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H2781-H2782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO L.J. ``LUD'' ANDOLSEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, earlier today it was my sad, but high 
personal privilege to offer a tribute to my dear friend, a great 
Minnesotan, and great American, the Honorable L.J. ``Lud'' Andolsek, 
during the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jane de Chantal Church, 
Bethesda, MD. Lud served this House of Representatives for over 14 
years as administrative assistant to my predecessor, the Honorable John 
A. Blatnik, and as chief clerk of the House Public Works Committee. It 
is only fitting and proper, therefore, that his contributions should be 
acknowledged and appreciated on the floor of this Chamber, which he 
loved and respected so greatly. Lud passed away last Friday, March 3.

                    L.J. ``Lud'' Andolsek--A Tribute

       Regina, Kathy, Brendan, Nicholas, Kendall, Don and friends, 
     all. We are gathered in the stark reality that death is not 
     something that happens only in some other family, in some 
     other place. It comes to our families, even to those whom we 
     think indestructible . . . like Lud Andolsek.
       It is natural--even necessary--to grieve that never in this 
     life will we again see that beloved face, hear that special 
     voice, feel that unique touch. But, we must also remember 
     that Christ, too, wept at the tomb of Lazarus.
       At the moment of death, what matters is not how long the 
     years, but how great they were, how rich the moments, how 
     generous the contribution to the lives of others.
       Lud's were great years, as grand, as vital, as vibrant, as
        expansive as life itself--years lived fully, intensively, 
     joyfully, without looking back over the shoulder, without 
     regrets. Some second thoughts, to be sure, but regrets, 
     never.
       Meeting Lud was an unshakable, unforgettable experience. He 
     took hold of you like a force . . . and he also took your 
     measure.
       He enjoyed putting on a gruff exterior, hanging signs 
     behind his desk like: ``If you think work is fun, stick 
     around and have a helluva good time''; or: ``I don't get 
     ulcers, I give them,'' complete with ferocious art work.
       Those who knew him best, though, knew there was a big 
     marshmallow inside. I remember going home to Chisholm, 
     visiting Grandma Oberstar, My grandmother, who, like Lud's 
     parents, had emmigrated from Slovenia, talking about Lud, 
     remembering him as a boyhood friend of my father and saying, 
     ``He always had such rosy cheeks.'' I thought about telling 
     Grandma of the thick cigar, the clouds of smoke and, at 
     times, the ashen complexion from incredibly long hours of 
     work and decided that I shouldn't undermine her beautiful, 
     almost cherubic image of ``the Commish.''
       Lud's life was the stuff that makes up the ``American 
     Dream.'' Born to a family like so many others in Minnesota's 
     Iron Range country--poor, but who didn't consider themselves 
     poor--certainly no poverty of spirit, and rising to high 
     public office.
       He worked the hard youth of an iron ore miner's family. He 
     was a journalist; goalie and player-coach of his college 
     hockey team--a rarity in those days; National Youth 
     Administration Director for Minnesota; distinguished military 
     service; a brief career with the Veterans Administration; a 
     long stint, through economically tough years with the late 
     Congressman John A. Blatnik and the House Public Works 
     Committee; and then, after decades of serving others, 
     recognition in his own right, for his gifts and 
     [[Page H2782]] talents: Appointment by President John F. 
     Kennedy to the U.S. Civil Service Commission as Vice 
     Chairman--and reappointments and service under five 
     presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. Then, 
     retirement.
       Not content with--and too restless for retirement, Lud went 
     out and organized the retirees, as President of the National 
     Association of Retired Federal Employees, adding 100,000 to 
     their numbers and forging NARFE into a political force to be 
     reckoned with. Then, retirement again--but always restless, 
     probing, inquisitive, determined, setting his iron will to 
     overcoming obstacles.
       He was proud of his Slovenian heritage--loved the music, 
     the food, the language, the people.
       He loved, revered and reveled in public service--for him, 
     the highest attainment of the human community.
       In the end--as in the beginning--with Lud, what mattered 
     most was loyalty: to friends, especially his lifelong friend, 
     John Blatnik; to principle: to veterans preference, to the 
     idea that government should serve the least among us, that it 
     should do good for people.
       For Lud, the highest, most enduring loyalty was to family, 
     to Regina, whom he loved steadfastly and with devotion; to 
     his daughter, Kathy; her husband, Don; to his grandchildren 
     Brendan, Nicholas and Kendall; his sister, Frances, and her 
     family. He loved . . . fiercely, protectively, and--at the 
     last--tenderly.
       Lud touched our lives indelibly. Caught up with him in 
     life, we are bound to him in death. He has met his test and 
     left us a rich legacy. Our test is to live our lives so that 
     what he meant to us can never pass away.
     

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