[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO INDIANA LT. GOV. JOSEPH E. KERNAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JULIA CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 1997

  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a brief moment to share my 
pride and admiration for our Indiana Lt. Governor, Joe Kernan. Today, 
May 7, marks the 25th anniversary of when Joe Kernan was shot down by 
the enemy over North Vietnam and held prisoner of war for the 
succeeding 11 months.
  Joe Kernan, a 1968 graduate of Notre Dame, had never set foot in 
Vietnam until he was shot down by the enemy while serving as a Naval 
flight officer in the Vietnam war. He was repatriated in 1973 and 
continued on active duty with the Navy until December 1974. The Combat 
Action Ribbon, two Purple Heart medals, and the Distinguished Flying 
Cross are among the military awards that the Lieutenant Governor has 
received.
  Joe Kernan was elected to the office of mayor of South Bend in 1987. 
He served as the city's mayor for 9 years, longer than any other mayor 
in South Bend's history. In 1996, he and Governor Frank O'Bannon were 
elected to the top two positions in Indiana government. Joe and his 
wife, Maggie, have a home in South Bend.
  Twenty-five years today, May 7, 1972, the life of Joe Kernan was 
turned upside down. He was flying over Vietnam at 4,500 feet, 
conducting bomb damage assessment, when his plane was hit with anti-
aircraft fire.
  Lest we forget the courageousness and dedication of our Vietnam 
veterans on behalf of all of us. Lest we forget in the words of Joe 
Kernan, ``* * * hope and faith played an important role.''
  And in recalling the prose of the poet, ``Joe Kernan exemplifies the 
true meaning of the land of the free, and home of the brave.''

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