[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
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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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