[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H6743-H6744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CHARLES I. DENECHAUD, JR.

  (Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my late father-
in-law, Charles I. Denechaud, Jr., whose life ebbed away last Saturday, 
July 24. He was taken from his loved ones after nearly 3 years of a 
silent struggle against a stroke that disabled him and in the end 
robbed his most precious treasure, the ability to speak to his dear 
wife.
  His remarkable life in the law and his extraordinary service to his 
fellow New Orleaneans, his family, and the Catholic Church was summed 
up in a comprehensive account in the New Orleans Times Picayune of 
Sunday, July 25, which I submit for the Record. I also include in the 
Record at this point the eulogy of my wife, Jean K. Oberstar, my own 
remarks. I want to cite the splendid eulogy offered, though not 
available in printed version, by Jean's brother-in-law, Tommy Boggs, in 
warm and touching tribute to a man whose exemplary ife will inspire all 
of us to so live our lives.

                       Charles I. Denechaud, Jr.


                 Eulogy of Hon. James L. Oberstar, M.C.

       As we left the restaurant a few years ago, I had a clever 
     idea: ``Us older guys should walk together,'' I said, taking 
     his arm, ``and you can help steady me, I've got a bad hip.''
       Charles quickly saw through the ruse: ``It's hell to get 
     old, Jim; the first thing to go are

[[Page H6744]]

     the legs. Take care of your legs. Now, let me take your arm, 
     so I don't stumble on something.''
       He closed with that warm twinkle in this eyes, and the 
     gentle, upbeat, pursed smile which is the image I shall 
     forever harbor and always cherish.
       Like my own father, who lived a river's length and a 
     culture away, Charles Denechaud saw everything, overlooked a 
     great deal, and forgave much.
       As my father did with in-laws, Charles took me in as one of 
     his own, without reservation, and extended the greatest of 
     all treasures: the inclusiveness of family love.
       It was not my privilege to know, at its peak, his dazzling 
     legal mind, but I shared, at its best, his unbounded love, 
     especially for the lady he always endearingly called ``my 
     bride.''
       The Psalmist wrote: ``I will treat him as my first-born 
     son. I will love him forever, and be kind to him always; my 
     covenant with him will never end.''
       Written of David, Psalm 89 appropriately embraces Charles 
     I. Denechaud, Jr.
                                  ____


                       Charles I. Denechaud, Jr.


                       Eulogy of Jean K. Oberstar

       Almost three years ago, when my father was in the hospital, 
     his doctor came into his room and asked, ``Mr. Denechaud, 
     would you like to pray?'' There was silence for a while and 
     then my father said, ``My life is a prayer.'' And indeed it 
     was.
       As a child, his likeness was used as a model for one of the 
     cherubs in the Edward Francis Denechaud stained glass window 
     here at Holy Name. Perhaps his life was directed toward 
     goodness from that time forward. After all, how many mortals 
     are used as models for angels?
       Although I don't really think Charlie Denechaud needs 
     prayers, I ask you to pray for him anyway. I am quite certain 
     that God will scoop up all the left-overs and given them to 
     souls who do need them.
       One of the measures of Charlie Denechaud is that each of 
     his five children is quite sure that he or she was his 
     favorite child. But whoever that person may have been, he or 
     she takes a dim second place in terms of the love and 
     devotion he had for his bride.
       Mother, you must be so very proud of him and so very proud 
     to have been his bride. I understand and have great empathy 
     for your sadness. I share it. We all do. But never forget the 
     love and pride you have for him--and he, absolutely, for you.
                                  ____


          [From the New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 25, 1999]

             Charles I. Denechaud Jr., Archdiocese Attorney

       Charles I. Denechaud Jr., a lawyer who represent the 
     Archdiocese of New Orleans and a number of other Catholic 
     institutions in the city, died Saturday at his home. He was 
     86.
       Mr. Denechaud, retired senior partner of Denechaud & 
     Denechaud, was a lifelong resident of New Orleans.
       Mr. Denechaud ``was one of the leading citizens we had in 
     this community,'' said G. Frank Purvis Jr., a friend for more 
     than five decades.
       ``He was a very find lawyer and a very dedicated lawyer, 
     both to his profession and to his faith,'' said Purvis, the 
     former chairman of Pan-American Life Insurance Co. in New 
     Orleans.
       The Denechaud family has represented the archdiocese since 
     1901, beginning with Mr. Denechaud's father, Charles Sr. The 
     firm also has represented Loyola and Xavier universities, the 
     Daughters of Charity, Hotel Dieu hospital and Jesuit High 
     School.
       Mr. Denechaud represented WWL television since the 
     station's inception, and played a crucial role in Loyola 
     University's acquisition of the station, his son, Charles 
     III, said.
       Mr. Denechaud attended Our Lady of Lourdes school, Jesuit 
     High School and Loyola University and received an honorary 
     L.L.D. degree from Xavier University in 1954.
       He was a former member of the President's Council of Loyola 
     University, New Orleans Hospital Council, National 
     Association of College and University Attorneys, United Negro 
     College Fund, American Hospital Association, New Orleans 
     Hospital Council, Louisiana Hospital Association and Catholic 
     Hospital Association.
       He was former member of the board of advisors of WWL and 
     First National Bank of Commerce in New Orleans and the board 
     of directors of Chinchuba Deaf Mute Institute, New Orleans 
     Public Library, Metropolitan Area Committee, National 
     American Bank, Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, 
     Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, and National 
     Diocesan Attorneys Association.
       He was former chairman of Hotel Dieu Board of Advisors, St. 
     Vincent Infant Asylum Board of Advisors and Our Lady of Holy 
     Cross College Board of Lay Trustees. He was past president 
     and director of Blue Cross of Louisiana and Society for the 
     Prevention of Cruelty to Children, past president of the 
     Audubon Park Commission and past director of the Marquette 
     Association for Higher Education, St. Mary's Catholic Orphan 
     Boys Asylum, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and National 
     Conference of Christians and Jews.
       Mr. Denechaud was a member of the New Orleans Bar 
     Association and served as its vice president from 1944 to 
     1945. He was also a member of the Louisiana, American and 
     Federal Communications Bar Associations.
       He was a member of Holy Name Society, St. Thomas More 
     Catholic Lawyers Association, Alumni Chapter of Beggars 
     Fraternity, President's Associates of Loyola University, New 
     Orleans Country Club, Startford Club and Pickwick Club. He 
     was named Layman of the Year by the Louisiana Hospital 
     Association in 1969 and Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by 
     Jesuit High School in 1978 and received affiliation to the 
     Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 
     1981.
       In 1947, Pope Pius XII named Mr. Denechaud a Knight of St. 
     Gregory, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church. He 
     became a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the 
     Great in 1958.
       Survivors include his wife, Barbara Byrne; two sons, 
     Charles III and Edward B. Denechaud; three daughters, Barbara 
     Denechaud Boggs of Washington, D.C., Jean Kurth Oberstar of 
     Washington, D.C. and Deborah Denechaud Slimp of Atlanta; two 
     sisters, Kathleen D. Charbonnet and Margaret D. Ramsey; 13 
     grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
       A Mass will be said Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name of 
     Jesus Catholic Church, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Visitation will 
     begin at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Metairie Cemetery. Lake 
     Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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