[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 54 (Thursday, March 23, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4487-S4488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           KENNETH HALL: A GREAT ILLINOISAN AND A GOOD FRIEND

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, the Illinois General Assembly and 
the people of Illinois suffered a great loss this week. The death of 
State Senator Kenneth Hall on Tuesday has left his family, friends and 
colleagues mourning this loss of an extraordinary person and a great 
public servant. I have known Kenny for a long time. I had the privilege 
of serving in the Illinois legislature with Senator Hall for 10 years. 
I am proud to have been able to call him a friend.
  Kenneth Hall was born in 1915 in East St. Louis, Illinois and 
attended high school and college in the area. After military service 
during World War II, Senator Hall began his public service career as a 
St. Clair County Sheriff's Investigator. He later served as 
Commissioner of the St. Clair County Housing Authority. He also served 
on the St. Clair County Welfare Service Committee and as a commissioner 
on the East St. Louis Park District. In 1949, he was appointed by 
former Governor Adlai Stevenson III to serve on the State Rent Control 
Board.
  Senator Hall's primary concern was always to his community, and he 
served for 28 years as a Democratic 
[[Page S4488]] Precinct Committeeman. He was elected to the Illinois 
House of Representatives where he served two terms, and in 1970 was 
elected to the Illinois State Senate. Five years after election to the 
State Senate, he became the first black Assistant Majority Leader. 
During his 25 years in the Illinois Senate, he served on several 
committees including the Education, Veteran's Affairs, Executive 
committees, and served as Chairman of the Appropriation II Committee 
until 1992. His legislative agenda reflected his primary interests in 
helping the poor and disenfranchised. He firmly believed that 
government should play a role in helping those who cannot help 
themselves. He strongly supported education as a way out of poverty.
  Those who knew Senator Hall remember him for his unfailing 
graciousness, and the way he cared about the people in his district. He 
was in many legislative battles during his career, but he was never 
disagreeable. He will be remembered most for his integrity and his 
honesty, and for the way he always had time for people.
  He was an inspiration to many in his community, pushing them to find 
the best in themselves. East St. Louis Mayor Gordon Bush called Senator 
Hall a ``pioneer for racial harmony, and people living together as 
God's children''.
  State Senator Kenneth Hall's career epitomizes what is best about 
public service. President Kennedy once said about politics as a 
profession, ``* * * if you are interested, if you want to participate, 
if you feel strongly about any public question, * * * governmental 
service is the way to translate this interest into action, the natural 
place for the concerned citizen is to contribute part of his life to 
the national interest''. Kenneth Hall was such a concerned citizen and 
he contributed a very large part of his life to the interest of his 
community, his state, and his country. In his own way he worked hard to 
make this world a better place. We could all learn something from his 
life.
  I had the pleasure of working with Kenny in Springfield, when I was 
in the legislature. He was always helpful, and I always benefited from 
his counsel and advice.
  Mr. President, Kenny was one of my mentors, and a shining light. His 
smile brightened every room and discussion he was in. He was tireless 
fighter and advocate who was never too busy to be kind. I will greatly 
miss him.


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