[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JACK BARRY

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a valued 
member of the Vermont community, and a true friend, John W. ``Jack'' 
Barry, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 70. I had the pleasure 
of working with Jack for over 20 years as he hosted numerous radio and 
television shows in Vermont. He was a consummate professional with an 
amazing knack for the interview. When I was on the other side of Jack's 
mike, I felt as though we were just chatting--kind of catching up on 
what I'd been up to in Washington. I wouldn't want to give any of my 
colleagues the impression that Jack didn't ask the tough questions 
because he did. He asked many of them but he passed no judgment on the 
answers.
  Although some would say that Jack began his illustrious career in 
1948 as a radio show host at WJOY in Burlington, it actually started at 
the age of 4 when ``Little Jackie Barry'' performed recitations for his 
hometown radio station, WDEV of Waterbury. Over the years Jack worked 
for numerous radio stations in Vermont and around the Nation, and 
served for 2 years as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy. 
In the early 1970's he joined the State's public television station to 
moderate a wide array of programs to include, ``Vermont this Week'', 
``Vermont Report'' and ``Call the Governor''. During the last 3 years, 
Jack served in public office as a State senator from Chittenden County.
  Among his many honors, Jack was named Vermont's Sportscaster of the 
Year in 1972, elected to the Vermont Association of Broadcasters' Hall 
of Fame, selected as the Rutland Herald's Vermonter of the Year in 1991 
and 1995, as well as being chosen to receive the Vermont Association of 
Broadcasting Award in 1981.
  True to his nature, Jack took the time to give back to the community 
by serving as a board member and trustee of several organizations to 
include the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, the Vermont Special 
Olympics, the United Way and the national board of the American Heart 
Association among many others.
  I extend my most sincere condolences to his wife Bunny, his three 
daughters; Kathy Yagley, Maureen Ravely, and Bridget Barry Caswell as 
well as the entire Barry family. Jack had the deepest feelings for 
Vermont and its people. He was always respectful of others and their 
differing beliefs. It didn't matter whether they were the frequent 
callers on his radio show or constituents from Chittenden County, he 
called them by name, heard them out and genuinely thanked them for 
expressing their views.
  Jack Barry exemplified what we should all strive to achieve.

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