[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO POLICE LEADER ED KIERNAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I regret to inform the House of the passing 
of longtime New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President 
Edward Kiernan, a dedicated leader and advocate for the needs and 
rights of our law enforcement officials. He made a major impact on 
their quality of life. Ed Kiernan died suddenly of a stroke on January 
23 at his home in Congers, NY, at the age of 78.
  A native of Queens, Kiernan was a long-time New York City police 
officer who worked his way up the leadership ladder in the Police 
Benevolent Association until he achieved the position of President in 
1969. He moved to Rockland County in 1966, soon after successfully 
lobbying New York State to change its laws to allow New York City law 
enforcement officers to live outside the city limits.
  I had the honor of working closely with Ed Kiernan on police related 
matters during my three terms in the New York State Assembly, and since 
coming to the Congress. Ed Kiernan was an outstanding police official 
and labor leader who made a genuine impact on the quality of life of 
those he worked so hard to represent.
  Upon his retirement from the police department in 1973, Ed 
subsequently served as president of the International Union of Police 
Associations (IUPA), which he had founded, serving in that position 
from 1978 to 1982. At the time Ed founded the IUPA in 1978, it became 
the first new union accepted into membership in the AFL-CIO in over a 
decade.
  A native of College Point, NY, Ed Kiernan was educated in parochial 
schools in that community. He served in the pacific Theater of World 
War II in the Army Air Corps, receiving an honorable discharge in Oct. 
1945 after distinguished service in Australia, New Guinea, the 
Philippines, and Okinawa.
  Prior to his military service, Ed Kiernan had been employed by the 
Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Authority. While he was in the service 
overseas, he was appointed to the New York City Police Department, and 
was assigned to the 110th Precinct in Queens in Dec. 1945.
  Ed was elected a delegate to the PBA in 1947, a trustee in 1953, 
second vice president in 1958, first vice president in 1960, and was 
elected president in June 1969. He served in that capacity until August 
1972, 5 months prior to his retirement from the New York City Police 
Department in January 1973.
  Beginning in 1959, Ed Kiernan served as chairman of the New York City 
PBA Legislative Committee. In that capacity he was chief architect and 
proponent of many bills enacted by the New York State Legislature of 
enormous benefit to law enforcement officials and their families.
  Among his legislative work was: Reform legislation allowing policemen 
to accept part time work (the ``moonlighting'' bill); increases in 
pension, retirement, and health benefit programs; and elimination of 
the ``death gamble'' provisions. Ed considered the adoption of 
legislation allowing New York City policemen to reside outside the city 
limits his greatest achievement.
  President Nixon appointed Ed to the United Nations Committee on Crime 
and Its Causes. Ten years later, President Reagan appointed him to the 
President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives. In August 1972, 
Ed was elected President of the International Conference of Police 
Associations.
  Ed Kiernan also served as Commander of American Legion Post #1103. He 
was a member of Lodge #877 B.P.O. Elks; of the Emerald Society, and the 
Brooklyn and Queens Holy Name Society. He was a lifetime member of the 
New York City Police Benevolent Association, the New York State 
Conference of Police, and the Metropolitan Conference of Police. He 
served as President of the Metropolitan Conference of Police 
Associations and was Director of the Eastern Conference on Health and 
Welfare Funds.
  Ed Kiernan is survived by his wife Alice; his 5 sons, Edward Jr., 
John, Timothy, Kevin and Keith; his 3 daughters, Kathleen, Carol, and 
Karen; and his 10 grandchildren, Brian Jr., Paul, Marc, Scott, John, 
Christiana, Kristen, Anton Jr., Catherine and Zachary. I invite our 
colleagues to join with me in extending condolences to this great 
family. Hopefully, the knowledge that many share their grief will be of 
some comfort to them at this time of their loss.
  Mr. Speaker, the passing of Ed Kiernan marks the passing of an era 
when our law enforcement officials fought successfully for the respect 
and dignity for those who put their lives on the line for all of us. Ed 
Kiernan was a general in that successful battle. We all owe him our 
eternal gratitude. He will long be missed.

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