[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1583-E1584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, this text was written as a letter to Anna 
Kate and future grandchildren so that they could know a little about 
their grandfather's work. Later when I was asked to eulogize Mal it 
became my text.

                                                   March 10, 1997.
       Mal died yesterday. He had worked with us since the 
     beginning. I got to know him in the '92 campaign. He was on 
     the list of Wayne County Republicans that called in February 
     1992 about my campaign. I did such calling in all 22 1st 
     district counties. Most led to no where but a rare few led to 
     real recruitments, loyal GOP soldiers who raise money, put up 
     signs, stuff envelopes, host parties, display bumper 
     stickers, introduce me to VIPs, organize the county and do 
     whatever needed to be done. Finding such a recruitment took 
     about 20 calls and 5 false workers. Mal proved to be true. He 
     asked me a barrage of traditional conservative litmus test 
     questions on school prayer, abortion, education, gun control 
     and so forth. Once satisfied that I had his philosophical 
     interest he volunteered- 100% and became my foremost Wayne 
     county contact. He did all of the above and was as happy as I 
     was when we won the seat.
       Months later while organizing the office another friend and 
     supporter Brit Gaston was counseling me on hiring. When he 
     called Mal for the interview he missed Mal but got his 
     telephone recording: ``Thank you for calling the Wayne County 
     Headquarters of Jack Kingston for Congress. We're not in 
     right now . . .'' Brit's comment was that there were few such 
     loyal folks. Mal became our Waycross manager.
       He served there until Waycross was reapportioned back to 
     the 8th district. Then he ran the Brunswick office.
       He was a great detail man, often doing dry runs on various 
     routes to determine exact time for scheduling. He never let a 
     crumb fall to the floor. In our various rounds constituents 
     constantly came up with social security, veteran, legal, IRS 
     request and so on. Mal would whip out his tiny book get 
     names, telephone numbers, addresses and the nature of the 
     inquiries. Most of these people were unconnected common men 
     not giving to titles, business cards and attorneys, but they 
     were in good hands with Mal. In a time when Republicans were 
     painted by Democrats and the press for being elitist and 
     lofty it was extremely important for folks to know we were 
     approachable and available to help serve them. With Mal I 
     never heard a complaint, but wage earner, unemployed and 
     itinerant would come up to me praising his work. In truth he 
     did it not for politics or compensation but for God.
       His eyes for detail served us well. One of my goals is to 
     personally know lots of people. Unfortunately its beyond my 
     feeble memory to do so. Seeing people briefly once or twice a 
     year is insufficient to imprint their face indelibly on my 
     brain. Mal however covered this. He'd write me notes--
     ``Please call Joan Smith (sister to Perry Smith you saw him 
     at the Patterson Lyons Club BQ last year. He was wearing the 
     funny green hat and talked to you about his tobacco barn) 
     about her mothers Social Security claim.'' or else, ``When 
     you write Bob Jones to thank him for the turnip greens please 
     remember to congratulate him on winning the Pierce County 
     Young Farmer of the Year.'' He knew what to say.

[[Page E1584]]

       Mal also handled our Military Academy Appointments. Each 
     year we get about 50 inquiries that result in 25 interviews 
     for Annapolis, West Point, the Air Force Academy and Kings 
     Point. Only three or four get appointments. Others get to 
     compete for a nomination directly with other second place 
     nominees. The first tier needn't worry, but for those on the 
     2nd tier only get a chance if a 1st place nominee drops out. 
     To these Mal gave his heart. If a kid had just missed a 1st 
     place but had his dream in an appointment Mal went to bat for 
     him.
       One such kid, Matt Brady of Savannah missed it the first 
     year. He was determined sincere and certainly won the 
     goodwill of the board, but that same year the top West Point 
     candidate made higher SAT scores. Matt was beat. He went to 
     Fort Valley Military. He worked hard and was the favored 
     candidate the next year, but despite his best efforts his 
     SAT's were still low and other candidates had 1570 and 1330. 
     Thus to our collective heart break Matt was bumped again. But 
     thru Mal's efforts knowing and working the system he found a 
     way to get all 3 an appointment one year later, out of the 
     entire West Point freshmen class, Matt Brady was selected 
     Cadet of the Year.
       There are other examples like the 3 kids from Twin City, a 
     little town of 1500 in Emanuel County. All had come from the 
     same Boy Scout Camp. Mal loved institutions like the Boy 
     Scouts, any group dedicated to kids, God, and country. He 
     beamed with pride about the ability of one den mother to 
     produce so many outstanding kids.
       These boys and girls don't even know Mal but you can be 
     assured that if not for Mal their lives and military careers 
     would be decidedly different.
       Mal liked people but he also liked policy. More than any 
     other employee he'd ask about votes. He liked to know the 
     inside scoop-who was for it, who against it, who said what 
     and why. He studied it. He read about it. He liked the 
     legislative process, but it wasn't gossip or politics that 
     caught his fancy it was policy. Are we building a better 
     America? Did his hard work pay off? Will tomorrow's America 
     be stronger? Will there be a better America for his children 
     and grandchildren? How will it affect Anna Kate?
       Here laid his real love. The country and the family. Mal 
     wasn't doing this for a job, but for a better government. 
     That would be the results of his efforts. He saw his mission 
     as an extension to his fatherhood. Naturally a Dad--a loving 
     Dad--is going to do what he can for America. Because in 
     serving America, he was looking out for his kids.
       His loved his daughters, son-in-law and grand daughter. He 
     loved Tharen. He was comfortable in that love. He wasn't 
     struggling with his family relationship, it was solid. It was 
     like Mal--steady, loyal, kind yet strong. Very strong.
       There's an old story of a child having a nightmare. He runs 
     to his Dad saying that the world was going out of orbit. The 
     wise father takes him out on the porch puts the young boy in 
     his lap and says ``See that moon? Keep your eye on it and 
     when it moves we're in trouble.'' After some 30 minutes the 
     boy was back asleep safe in his father's arm and of course 
     the moon hadn't budged.
       Just as the moon's steady glow and permanently had 
     comforted the boy, Mal had a similar focus. His comfort was 
     the Son. Steadfast and certain his Savior was Jesus Christ. 
     If Mal was with us today he would tell us not to be troubled 
     by his absence but to be joyful in the Son's presence. Mal 
     now watches his family from above, but surely his 
     Christian family will also see him when the time comes.
                                                    Jack Kingston.

  P.S. A few days after the funeral Peggy Lee gave me the attached 
memo. It's the last one I ever received from Mal. It's typical and a 
fitting tribute to a kind and thoughtful man. Written days before his 
stroke, Mal's last memo was concerning someone else's stroke and 
condition.
                                  ____
                                  

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

     MEMORANDUM
     TO: JACK/KARLEEN.
     FR: Mal.
     DT: February 5, 1997.
     RE: Update on Way Carter of Waycross.
       I think Jack is already aware that Way Carter of Waycross, 
     one of the top Ten FOJK in Ware County, suffered a stroke 
     last Sep 2d. It affected his respiratory functions and he is 
     undergoing therapy to restore some speech and feeding 
     functions. He has had no food by mouth since the stroke and 
     breathes with difficulty. However, he is alert and lucid.
       Jack, I believe, has talked to his wife, Mary, since the 
     stroke.
     Way Carter,
     Waycross, GA.

     

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