[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1308-E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        A TRIBUTE TO JOE KENNEDY

                                 ______


                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 1995
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Joe 
Kennedy, who on July 3, will retire from the National Park Service and 
his position over the last 8\1/2\ years as Superintendent of the New 
River Gorge National River in West Virginia.
  It is sad, but true, that many in this body these days take price in 
denigrating Federal employees, especially those in uniform. I will not 
be a party to those antics, and committed public servants like Joe 
Kennedy illustrate the degree of professionalism that swells the ranks 
of many agencies such as the National Park Service.
  Since January 1987, Joe has served with distinction and dedication as 
the Superintendent of the New River Gorge National River. He arrived at 
a time when very little in the way of basic infrastructure was in place 
at the park unit. I am pleased to report that under Joe's leadership, a 
great deal has been accomplished including the construction of a state-
of-the-art visitor center at Canyon Rim, a park headquarters complex at 
Glen Jean, a boardwalk at Sandstone Falls that is a naturalist's 
delight, modern river access facilities at Cunard and Fayette Station, 
the restoration of historic Thurmond, and the establishment of an 
extensive trail system. During Joe's tenure, he also supervised a very 
active land acquisition program, and park operations and services 
improved vastly. These are just a few of his accomplishments.
  Throughout this period, Joe Kennedy never shirked from the call of 
duty, often going above and beyond what was required of him. After 
moving the park
 headquarters to Glen Jean, Joe received a phone call from an elderly 
lady in the community who wanted him to go over to her home and remove 
a snake that was in the basement. The Superintendent did not hesitate 
to do so. Moreover, Joe has had the distinction of serving as the 
Superintendent of not just one, but three, units of the National Park 
System at the same time. A little more than 1 year after arriving at 
West Virginia, through my efforts, Congress passed legislation to 
establish the Gauley River National Recreation Area and the Bluestone 
National Scenic River on tributaries of the New River. Joe has served 
as the Superintendent of all three park units, making him the ``River 
King'' of the National Park Service.

  Joe Kennedy now retires after serving the public as an employee of 
the National Park Service for 34 years. Starting his career at Kings 
Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina during July 1961, he 
then served briefly at Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia before 
being transferred to the Nation's Capital in July 1964 where he worked 
at the Department of the Interior until October 1968. After that, he 
headed south again and served at the Everglades National Park until 
October 1971 when he heeded that age old call of ``go West young man.'' 
Between October 1971 and August 1979, Joe worked at the Glen Canyon 
National Recreation Area, and then, as Superintendent of Dinosaur 
National Monument until moving to West Virginia in 1987.
  I have been extremely proud to have had the honor to know and work 
with Joe Kennedy. We have gone through a lot of dedication ceremonies 
together, ran a goodly number of whitewater rapids on both the New and 
Gauley together--during which he never fell out of the raft, hiked a 
trail or two, and had some great discussions. To say the least, I am 
dismayed that he is retiring. His humor, patience, fortitude, and 
vision will be sorely missed.
  In conclusion, it is my understanding that Joe and his wife Jayne 
will move back to their native State of North Carolina. He will bring 
with him a wealth of memories from his years [[Page E 1309]] with the 
National Park Service, and he will bring with him our friendship and 
respect.
  On behalf of myself and Jim Zoia of my staff, we wish Joe and Jayne 
Kennedy the very best.


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