[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, II, MEMBER OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 12, 1998

  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, the Kennedys of Massachusetts have served 
their country--from the White House to the state house--with 
distinction and a sense of tradition and honor.
  As a Member of the House of Representatives, Joseph P. Kennedy II, 
has served his nation, his constituents and his family with the same 
vigor demonstrated by his father and his uncles, John and Ted Kennedy. 
While other Members of his family will continue the Kennedy legacy of 
public service, Joe Kennedy's decision to leave the House will be a 
very real loss for the House and, in particular, the Committee on 
Banking and Financial Services.
  Those of us who have served on the Banking Committee with Joe will 
miss him for many reasons. We'll miss his personal presence, his energy 
and warmth, the way he enters meetings and personally greets each 
colleague and staffer with his legendary broad grin.
  More importantly, the Committee will miss his passion. Throughout his 
Congressional career, Joe Kennedy rarely missed an opportunity to 
direct the attention of the Committee toward issues affecting people 
not represented by the traditional Washington lobbyist. Low-income 
housing, community reinvestment, consumer protections are just a few of 
the issues Joe Kennedy championed during the twelve years he 
represented Massachusett's Eighth District.
  We know Joe Kennedy will never fully leave the public service arena 
for it is just not in his nature to do so. He simply has a new 
mission--to seek different ways to serve the underserved and to accept 
greater responsibility for the affairs of his extended family.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, the House and the Banking Committee will not 
easily replace someone like Joe Kennedy, but his contributions to the 
work of the United States Congress and the people of this country will 
remain. As Joe embarks on another path through life's journey, I wish 
him every success and happiness.
  Joe, best wishes for all you have yet to accomplish.

                          ____________________