[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CHAPLAIN LYLE KELL

  Mrs. MURRAY. I want to take this opportunity to thank Chaplain Kell 
for his inspired prayer. And I also want to thank our Senate Chaplain 
for working to ensure Chaplain Kell, a resident of our State of 
Washington, the opportunity to provide spiritual inspiration today to 
the Senate.
  From the shores of Europe to the community of Arlington, WA, Chaplain 
Kell's record of service to our Nation is impressive. He served in the 
U.S. Navy during World War II from June 1943 to November 1946 as a 
gunner with the armed guard, the unit that protected merchant marine 
ships from enemy attack. He received many service decorations, 
including medals for the European African Middle Eastern campaign and 
the Asiatic Pacific campaign.
  Chaplain Kell was ordained as a minister in 1965 and served as the 
national chaplain to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 
from 1995 to 1996. Born and raised in Skagit Valley, WA, Chaplain Kell 
is now a resident of Arlington and has been a member of VFW Post 1561 
since 1985. Prior to becoming VFW national chaplain, he served as the 
VFW post, district, department, and western conference chaplain.
  As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I am proud that 
Chaplain Kell has been able to continue his dedicated service to our 
Nation today as the Senate guest Chaplain. I wish to honor Chaplain 
Kell's wife, Dorothy, and his daughter, Brenda, who have accompanied 
him here to Washington, DC. And I would also like to extend my most 
heartfelt good wishes to them and to you, Chaplain Kell, as you 
celebrate your birthday today.
  Thank you, Lyle Kell, for all of your dedicated service to American 
veterans and to our Nation. Your work to promote our country's freedoms 
has benefited countless individuals across this Nation and around the 
world.

  Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I appreciate very much the comments of 
the Senator from Washington. It certainly is appropriate we open with a 
prayer in the Senate.

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