[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN JOE KILGORE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RUBEN HINOJOSA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, back in February of this year we lost a 
great Texan with the passing of former Congressman Joe Kilgore, who 
represented the 15th Congressional District from January 3, 1955 to 
January 3, 1965.
  Recently, someone shared with me the eulogy presented at his funeral 
by former Member of Congress J.J. Pickle, who ever so ably represented 
the 10th District (Austin) in this body for over three decades. 
Congressman Pickle's remarks, which I am inserting into the Record 
today, are very moving and speak volumes about the unique relationship 
these two gentleman, who were the best of friends and colleagues, 
shared for over sixty years.
  The word exemplary is not one I use loosely; however, when used to 
describe Joe Kilgore it is indeed apropos.

                           Joe Kilgore Eulogy

                  (By J.J. Pickle, February 13, 1999)

       Joe Kilgore was a Gentleman. But to me, Joe Kilgore was 
     more than a Gentleman. He was my Soul Mate--a Kindred 
     Spirit--who comes along once in a lifetime. Our bond of 
     friendship began at our University of Texas as members of a 
     small law fraternity whose `political' leaders were self-
     appointed: John Connally, Joe Kilgore, and me--when I could 
     get a word in sideways. We were kindred spirits--and we were 
     close--Joe, John, and Jake: Tres Amigos! We kept that close 
     bond of friendship for more than 60 years.
       Again, old friends, reserve the right to remember what they 
     want to remember. I hope you and Joe's family will accept my 
     recollections of earlier times when we were young and twenty-
     something and had no thoughts of high public office.
       All my life, Joe was `Amigo Joe'--a salutation we gave this 
     gentleman from the `Valley' who loved this area. When we 
     said, `Amigo Joe'--we were met with a smile, a happy grin, 
     and a warm greeting, as if we shared a lot of fun and 
     wonderful memories. Which we did.
       While in the University, we became enamored with our 
     Southwest and Mexican heritage and practiced for perfection 
     the best `El Grito' yell. As the Rebel `El Grito' yell, 
     designed to strike fear or excitement in the enemy, 
     developed, it took on a Border flavor, described by a 
     colleague of Joe's as ``the cry of a mother coyote'' bereft 
     of her young. As a screeching eagle dived from the sky on its 
     hapless prey. Our contest participants included Kilgore, 
     Connally, Don Jackson, Ed Potter and maybe, yours truly. I 
     still have a tape recording of that thunderous contest--Joe 
     did not win. Ah, we were young and eager.
       I suppose it was inevitable that we would become campus 
     `politicos'--of a sort. We took part in student politics--3 
     successive presidents of the U.T. student body--largely 
     engineered by Amigo Joe!
       I can still hear the majestic voice of Joe Kilgore, as our 
     group serenaded the girls dormitory--the ladies of S.R.D. He 
     made John and me look good.
       Inevitably, we became young campaigners for Lyndon Johnson, 
     Allan Shivers, Price Daniel, and, for ourselves, too. Joe 
     became a member of the Texas Legislature and then the U.S. 
     Congress for 10 years serving his district in the Valley. 
     Later, I became one of his Congressional colleagues, while 
     Connally was satisfied in just being our Secretary of the 
     U.S. Navy, U.S. Treasurer, and Governor of Texas. We were 
     young and eager.
       ``Then war came, and the bugles sounded''! Brother Joe 
     joined the Air Force and became a distinguished B-24 bomber 
     pilot in the Mediterranean Theater. I like to remember the 
     story of Joe the B-24 Bomber Pilot. On one of his test 
     bombing runs, he found himself, as the chief pilot, 
     surrounded. On his left, was a Texas Aggie co-pilot and on 
     his right, by another Texas Aggie co-pilot. Joe said to them 
     ``You guys be careful, I know what you Aggies are capable of 
     doing''.
       Later, Joe received the Silver Star Distinguished Flying 
     Cross whose official citation reads in part: ``For valor and 
     heroic disregard of his own safety beyond and above the call 
     of duty . . . the dauntless courage shown by Captain Kilgore 
     exemplifies the highest tradition of the United States Air 
     Force.''
       During a break in the war, in 1943, Joe and I were in 
     Austin as a part of a War Bond Rally where movie actor Robert 
     Taylor, and heavy weight champ of the world, Jack Dempsey 
     were participants. The entourage journeyed to Southwestern 
     University in Georgetown in Ambassador Ed Clark's new yellow 
     Packard. On the return trip, they had a flat tire and pulled 
     off to the side of the road to jack up the car, which was 
     resting on a steep slope. No one could work the car jack 
     under the car and time was running short. So Jack Dempsey 
     came to the rescue. He backed up to the right rear wheel, 
     spread his legs, securely grabbed the bumper and frame and 
     literally lifted the right side of the car up high. Joe 
     quickly put the jack in place for Jack Dempsey. It was one of 
     the few times in his life that Joe did not do the heavy 
     lifting.
       After the War, in 1945, Joe married his first and only 
     love, Jane Redman. From that moment it was one person: Joe 
     and Jane. They settled into a family life that can only be 
     described as close, loving and warm.
       In 1945, Joe and Jane lived in Edinburg, in the `Valley'. 
     There was no air conditioning in Edinburg, or anywhere else, 
     and with temperatures hovering in the 100's the nights were 
     hot and stuffy. One night, in particular, Jane was sleeping 
     restlessly and woke Joe up. He asked, ``What are you doing--
     killing snakes?'' From that time on, Jane said laughingly, 
     ``we continued on a life course of killing snakes and 
     building castles''.
       Their marriage brought four wonderful children who were 
     fortunate enough to gain wisdom and character from Joe and 
     Jane. I've never known a happier or prouder family.
       Mark, Dean, and Bill, like to remember that Joe, who was 
     partial to home-spun advice, made a point early in their 
     lives, that ``honesty is the best policy''. All the children 
     understood that, to Joe, the value of truth-telling was 
     sacred. The kids nevertheless, as a safety measure, plotted 
     their own quick escape route to Mexico just in case they 
     slipped in the honesty department. The kids never had to use 
     that escape route. But they always suspected, anyway, that 
     they couldn't outrun Joe in his 1963 Oldsmobile, flying like 
     a B-24.
       Joe and Jane's daughter, Shannon, likes to recall that 
     there was never a time when she would call his office, for 
     advice or just to talk, that he didn't take her call 
     immediately or call her back within 10 seconds. When he 
     returned her call, more often than not, he'd say that Senator 
     Bentsen or Congressman de la Garza was in the office or he 
     was in a meeting. But, he took that call--family always came 
     first.
       Joe's values and goodness of character went far beyond his 
     immediate family. He was unselfish and backed up that trait 
     with action.
       When his good friend and fellow lawyer, Amos Felts died, 
     Joe called Amos' son Dan, who was a senior in law school. Joe 
     told Dan not to worry about his Dad's law practice. For more 
     than 6 months, Joe, or his partner, would go to Amos's office 
     in another building and answer the mail, return calls, and 
     hand out what legal advice they could to keep the practice 
     going. When Dan got out of law school, Joe handed over to him 
     the keys to his Dad's practice.
       Time and time again, Joe extended his hand to help others. 
     I know--I was a constant seeker for free advice, counsel, and 
     comfort.
       As he practiced law, advanced in the legal profession, 
     helped to develop one of the most respected law firms in our 
     state, Joe was willing to serve and help others.
       He had a 25 year association with Scott and White Hospital 
     as a very active board member. He was a University of Texas 
     Regent, and rightly honored Distinguished U.T. Alumnus 
     recipient, and president of his beloved U.T. Ex-Students 
     Association. He served with distinction on national and state 
     governmental advisory boards. Joe was always giving back to 
     others.
       Although he was a confidant to the Politically Powerful and 
     an advisor to Presidents, Governors, Senators, and to the 
     highest public officials in our land, he still found time to 
     work, for example, with the Boy Scouts because of his belief 
     in young Texans and the future.
       He will be remembered for his sense of humor and for his 
     high morals and the goodness of his character. No one ever 
     dared question his honesty, integrity or ability.
       To many countless Texans, he was Joe Kilgore: respected 
     lawyer, gentleman, and someone you could count on to give you 
     the right advice or help on a problem or a project. You could 
     depend on his word with your life. He was Trusted.
       To me he will always be my Amigo Joe.
       And now, in a few minutes, we will inter Joe in his final 
     resting place in our now beautiful State Cemetery. Joe will 
     rest a short 25 feet away from John Connally's monument. And 
     in good time--not just yet--in that same triangle, I will 
     stand guard over both--just another 25 feet away. Our bond of 
     love and friendship will always stay strong and close . . . 
     and forever.
       Adios, Amigo.