[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 53 (Monday, April 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3836-S3837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING AL BULLOCK

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam President I rise to note the passing of a great 
Republican and a great American. Dr. Albert E. Bullock died on April 7 
at the age of 72 at his home in Kensington, Maryland. He had been 
fighting cancer for some time.
  Al, as he was known by everyone who knew him, was the husband of my 
able and dedicated office manager, Katja Bullock. He was also a 
dedicated dentist and a devoted Republican activist who lived life to 
the fullest and brought energy and humor to everything he did.
  Born in Washington, Al served in the United States Navy during World 
War II and was awarded both the Victory Medal and the American Theatre 
Ribbon. When he was honorably discharged in 1946, Secretary of the Navy 
James Forrestal sent him a letter expressing ``the Navy's pride'' in 
his service. He became a life-long member of American Legion Post 268 
in Wheaton, Maryland.
  Al attended the University of Maryland and graduated from Georgetown 
University's School of Dentistry in 1952. He served as a Clinical 
Instructor at Georgetown immediately after graduating and published 
original scientific articles in the District of Columbia Dental Society 
Journal and the Southern California Journal of Orthodontics. He was 
elected to the National Dental Honor Fraternity and named a Fellow of 
the Royal Society of Health.
  Al was an integral part of his community. He was particularly active 
and important in the Montgomery County Republican Party. And his 
positions in the party were numerous. He served twice as Montgomery 
County Republican Party Chairman and was a regular fixture on the 
County's Republican Central Committee between 1982 and 1994.
  He also served as Executive Director of Maryland's Reagan for 
President Committee and as a member of Maryland's Electoral College. In 
1994 he was the Republican nominee for Maryland State Senate.
  During the Reagan Administration Al served on the National Advisory 
Council on Child Nutrition and the National Advisory Committee on the 
National Health Service Corps.
  But it was perhaps as a mentor to young conservatives that Al had his 
greatest effect on politics. Literally dozens of Washington interns at 
one time or another stayed with the Bullocks or attended one of the 
many events hosted at their home. Across America today, there are many 
active Republicans who were strengthened in their convictions by Al and 
Katja Bullock.
  Indeed, many of us believe there is a political dynasty forming in 
the Bullock family. Al would allow himself to be put up for elective 
office in heavily Democratic Montgomery Country because no one else 
wanted the task of losing. But he must have had some effect because his 
son, also named Al, made a respectable showing in his own run for 
public office. And everyone agrees that Al's grandson, Al the third, 
who at a quite tender age was already defending his grandfather on the 
stump, could just be the one to turn Montgomery County Republican.
  Al Bullock knew how important it is to keep active in political life. 
But he also knew that politics is not all of life. He was a strong 
family man as well as a dedicated professional who took great pride in 
his work and in this relations with his patients. He also was active as 
a member of the American Light Opera Company, serving on its Board of 
Trustees and as Chairman in 1965.
  The story goes, in fact, that Katja fell in love with Al when, seeing 
him for an emergency dental procedure, she was soothed by the strains 
of opera as Al worked on her teeth.
  I will always remember Al's winning combination of humor and 
dedication to conservative principles. He led a full and colorful life, 
in which he met many of the great public figures of our age. It was a 
great honor for anyone in public life to make it to the photographic 
hall of fame lining the Bullock family's front stairs. I was happy to 
see last Christmas that my own photo had made it to one corner of that 
hallway, overshadowed by pictures of more than one President.
  My heartfelt condolences go to Katja, Al's son Albert, his daughter-
in-law Katie and grandsons Albert and Seamus, as well as his sister, 
Betty Sorrell.
  Al will be sorely missed by everyone lucky enough to know him.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.

[[Page S3837]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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