[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 146 (Monday, October 25, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H10746-H10747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SADNESS ON THE DEATHS OF THE HONORABLE JOHN H. CHAFEE, 
                  WALTER P. KENNEDY AND PAYNE STEWART

  (Mr. ARMEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad day for a great many people, 
not the least of whom are our colleagues in the other body for their 
loss of their colleague, Senator John Chafee, and I would like to take 
a moment and just express the sympathies of the House of 
Representatives to our colleagues in the other body and to Senator 
Chafee's family and his constituents for that loss.
  Today has become even more grim as we hear of the fatal plane crash 
that took the life of Payne Stewart, a man who has earned the respect 
of millions of Americans, and we share with America the grief of that 
loss.
  But, Mr. Speaker, it has just come to my attention that we too in our 
body have suffered a loss yesterday of one of our long-term 
Congressional employees from the House of Representatives.
  Many Members here will remember Walter Kennedy, who was the retired 
Republican Sergeant at Arms. Walter Kennedy spent 44 years working here 
in the House of Representatives. He worked for Congressman Gordon 
Canfield of New Jersey. He served under Charles Haleck, Gerald Ford, 
John Rhodes and Bob Michel.
  Many of us will remember when we first arrived in town, Walter 
Kennedy was one of the sage advisers that helped us in many ways along 
the way, always a friendly voice, always an encouraging word, and 
always a man who put this body, its traditions, its history and its 
work above other things.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I would just like to express to the family 
of Walter Kennedy, and even to those of us who served in this body with 
Walter Kennedy, again, the expression of regret from this body to you 
for our loss of a fine colleague, a good friend, and a dedicated 
servant to his country.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. ARMEY. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman 
yielding. Having the majority leader rise and recognize the long 
service to this House of Walter Kennedy is most appreciated.
  On both sides of the aisle we have people who are working 
professionals who are willing to give a hand and meet challenges when 
crises occur, and for years and years around here Walter was one of 
those people giving advice and counsel, especially to newer Members as 
we came along. His passing this weekend is a great sadness for his 
family, I know, but also for all of us who respect him for his work.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. ARMEY. I yield to the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to join our majority leader in 
expressing our sympathy to the family of Walter Kennedy. Walter was 
someone many of us worked with over the years. We had a great deal of 
affection for Walter and particularly welcomed his sage advice as we 
first started out in this body, and from time to time he would offer a 
helping hand whenever there was a problem out on the battlefield.
  We will long miss Walter Kennedy. I thank the majority leader for 
bringing this to our attention this evening.
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, for the Record I am including the obituary of 
Walter Kennedy, as well as details on and directions to his funeral.

   Retired Republican Sergeant-at-Arms, U.S. House of Representatives

       Walter P. Kennedy, retired Republican Sergeant-at-Arms, 
     U.S. House of Representatives (1950-1993) and a 43 year 
     resident of Bethesda, MD, died on Sunday, October 24, 1999 in 
     the Coronary Intensive Care Unit of the Washington Hospital 
     Center. He was 78.
       Born to Thomas Kennedy and Mary Stella McElvogue on 
     February 23, 1921, he was an immigrant with them from Ireland 
     in 1924. He was raised in Paterson, New Jersey.
       During World War II, he served in the Army from February 
     1943 to November 1945. In 1943, as his unit was preparing to 
     deploy, he became a naturalized citizen. He saw combat in 
     France, Germany and Austria as a medic in the 63rd Engineer 
     Battalion, 44th Infantry Division.
       After his discharge from the service, he completed his 
     studies at Seton Hall College, in New Jersey and went on to 
     receive a law degree from Georgetown University in 
     Washington, D.C.
       He began a 44 year career in the U.S. Congress in 1950 as 
     the chief administrative assistant for the Hon. Gordon 
     Canfield of New Jersey, retiring in 1993 as the Republican 
     Sergeant-at-Arms for the last couple of decades. In his 
     position with Republican Leadership, he served under Charles 
     Haleck, Gerald Ford, John Rhodes and Bob Michel.
       Mr. Kennedy's 44 years of Congressional service is 
     significant inasmuch as it represents more than 25% of all 
     the years Congress has been in existence.
       Notably, on the day of his retirement, he was honored by 
     the House of Representatives while it was in session with 
     impromptu speeches by many Members.
       Subsequent to his retirement, he logged an additional 6 
     years on Capital Hill with consulting, political fundraising 
     and public relations through The Kennedy Group Companies of 
     Washington, D.C., for which he was the Chairman and CEO.
       Since the death of his father, he had been the patriarch of 
     a big and very close-knit family. He is survived by his wife, 
     Ana Luisa Bou, to whom he was married for more than 53 years, 
     7 childen, Walter P. Kennedy, Jr., Ana L. Kennedy, Thomas F. 
     Kennedy, Dennis

[[Page H10747]]

     M. Kennedy, Stella M. Kennedy-Dail, Kevin J. Kennedy and 
     Kathleen P. Kennedy McGovern. 4 daughters-in-law and a 
     son-in-law, 12 grandchildren, all who reside in the 
     greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He, himself, 
     was the oldest of four children and he is survived by a 
     brother, three sisters, their spouses and children. He was 
     also the brother for two sister-in-laws, Ernestina Bou and 
     Marie Isabel Pelalas.
       He was active with the Boy Scouts and the Catholic 
     Committee on Scouting for more than 40 years. Since 1956 he 
     was an active member of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church 
     in Kensington, Maryland, particularly with the Holy Name 
     Society and the Social Concerns Committee. He was an active 
     member and a Knight of the 4th Degree in the Knights of 
     Columbus.
       He was a man of leadership and vision, but also, above all 
     else, a good, honest and kind man. Though never losing focus 
     on the future (which he always maintained as promising), he 
     would consider everyone, yet remain vigilant for the 
     underdog.
       He was loved deeply by all and he will be greatly missed.
       Viewing for Mr. Kennedy will be on Tuesday, October 26, 
     1999 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 
     Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd W, 
     Silver Spring, MD. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, 
     October 27, 1999 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic 
     Church, 9705 Summit Avenue, Kensington, MD. Interment will be 
     at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD following 
     the Mass.
       Donations and charitable contributions are urged to the 
     American Diabetes Association on behalf of Mr. Kennedy.
                                  ____



              arrangements and details (directions below)

       A. There will be viewing from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 
     7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at Francis 
     J. Collins Funeral home (directions below);
       B. There will be a Mass at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 
     27, 1999 at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in 
     Kensington, Maryland (directions below);
       C. Interment will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery 
     following the 12:30 Mass; and,
       D. A reception will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 
     Rock Creek Council, 5417 West Cedar Lane, in Bethesda, 
     following interment, until 6:00 p.m.


                              directions:

       Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd W, 
     Silver Spring, MD 20901-4625 Phone: (301) 593-9500
       From the East on the Capitol Beltway/I-495 (in Montgomery 
     County):
       1: Take MD-193 WEST/UNIVERSITY BLVD exit towards WHEATON 
     (US-29 N). 0.2 miles
       2: Merge onto MD-193 W. 1.1 miles
       3: MD-193 W becomes UNIVERSITY BLVD W. 0.1 miles
       From the West on the Capitol Beltway/I-495 (in Montgomery 
     County):
       1: Take the US-29 NORTH/COLESVILLE RD exit, exit number 
     30A, toward COLUMBIA. 0.1 miles (Note: Those coming from 
     downtown Silver Spring, Take the US-29 NORTH/COLESVILLE RD 
     exit, exit number 30A, towards COLUMBIA. crossing over I-495/
     Capitol Beltway)
       2: Merge onto COLESVILLE RD. 0.3 miles
       3: Turn RIGHT onto MD-193 E. AND GET INTO LEFT U-TURN LANE 
     IMMEDIATELY
       4: Make U-Turn at light onto WESTBOUND MD-193 and cross 
     Colesville Rd 0.8 miles
       5: MD-193 E becomes UNIVERSITY BLVD W. 0.1 miles


                              directions:

       Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, 9705 Summit Avenue, 
     Kensington, Maryland 20895, (301) 942-2333 (Rectory)
       From the Capitol Beltway/I-495 (in Montgomery County):
       1: Take the MD-185/CONNECTICUT AVE exit, exit number 33, 
     toward KENSINGTON/CHEVY CHASE.
       2: Go North on CONNECTICUT AVE.
       3: At the 2nd traffic light, Turn LEFT onto SAUL RD.
       4: At the 1st intersection, Turn LEFT onto SUMMIT AVE.

                              {time}  1900

  Mr. Speaker, I see the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) is 
here. I would ask the gentleman from Rhode Island if he wants to speak 
on behalf of his loss for his State.
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. ARMEY. I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island.
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I do.
  Mr. ARMEY. Would the gentleman prefer to have his own time to share 
with himself and colleagues?
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Yes, sir.
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield the floor, and ask the Members of 
Congress to please give their attention and respect to the gentleman 
from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy). His words will have meaning in this 
body, as they will have for the Nation.

                          ____________________