[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING COLONEL ALBERT S. HINKLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 5, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened to inform our 
colleagues of the loss of a man who, for over thirty years, has been a 
close friend, a loyal confidant, a dedicated staff member, and an 
outstanding public servant.
  Colonel Al Hinkle was born November 6, 1917, in Fargo, North Dakota, 
to Ned and Mildred Hinkle. He received a bachelor's degree in political 
science from North Dakota State University and thereafter was a 1958 
graduate to the Yale University Institute for Organizational Management 
and did postgraduate work at Yale in 1959. He also attended Corning 
Community College.
  Al was employed by the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington. During 
World War II, Al served in the Army as a finance officer assigned to 
General Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff, attaining the rank of Colonel. He 
was the Currency Director of the European Theater Operations.
  Subsequent to World War II, from 1946, to 1950, Al was a salesman for 
Oneida Ltd., in Oneida, New York, responsible for sales in Virginia, 
North Carolina, and South Carolina. He then advanced to division 
manager for Frigidaire, Onondago Supply in Syracuse from 1951 to 1952. 
From 1953 to 1955, Al served as District Manager for the Kelvinator 
Division of American Motors in Buffalo. In 1956, Al served as the 
Executive Secretary of the Oneida Chamber of Commerce.
  Over the next decade, Al served as the Executive Vice President of 
the Greater Corning Area Chamber of Commerce, and from 1966 to 1971, 
served as a Regional Manager of the New York State Department of 
Commerce. He was an Assistant Director of the Corning Urban Renewal 
Agency from 1971 to 1972, and then became Assistant Commissioner for 
Special Programs with the New York State Division of Housing and 
Community Renewal. He served in that position until May 1975.
  In September 1975, Al Hinkle joined my staff as a legislative 
assistant, serving for 22 years until early 1997, when he retired. He 
was invaluable to me and my office, performing such duties as 
organizing seminars and meetings, managing my district office in 
Monsey, N.Y., traveling with me throughout our District, and keeping me 
aware of events affecting my constituency.
  As Members of Congress,we are all well aware how imperative it is to 
have knowledgeable, well-informed, trustworthy staff members. Al was 
the epitome of such an assistant. However, he was more than exemplary 
employee, Al was also a good friend.
  Al was never reluctant to express his opinions and views, and more 
often than not was proven correct. I was always proud to have Al 
represent me at public functions and was impressed with his detailed 
reports on what had transpired. He was of great help to me over the 
years in being my eyes and ears, helping me to keep my fingers on the 
pulse of Rockland County.
  Al's tenure as First Vice Chairman of the Rockland County Republican 
Committee was marked by the increased growth in our party. In 1979, Al 
was mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for Rockland County 
Clerk, but withdrew his name.
  Al was a member of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the 
New York State Association of Industrial Development Agencies, and the 
state Chamber of Commerce Executives. He was also a past president of 
the New York-Penn Tier Association of Chambers of Commerce, and served 
as a director of the American Retail Association Executives. Al's 
community service included many yeas an energetic Monsey Rotarian, an 
active officer in the Reserve Officers Association of the United States 
and an energetic member of several veterans organizations.
  Al was married to the lovely June Brooks and they enjoyed a long, 
fruitful, and happy life together. When June became terminally ill with 
cancer, Al was a devoted helpmate throughout her long illness, and 
rarely left her side. The passing of his beloved wife in January 1994, 
was a deep loss to Al. He was never quite the same after her passing.
  Al is survived by his sons, Albert II, David, and Frederick; and 
brother, John; and four grandchildren. Al will be afforded the honor, 
which he fully deserved, of a military burial in Arlington National 
Cemetery on October 16, 1998.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite our colleagues to join with me in extending to 
Al's sons, his family, and his many friends, our deepest condolences.

                          ____________________