[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 5, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN MEMORY OF THE LATE MENEFEE (CHUCK) D. BLACKWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2000

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the 
House of the death of Chuck Blackwell, a former Lexington, Missouri, 
resident and graduate of Wentworth Military Academy. He was 84.
  Chuck, a son of the late Horace F. and Berrien Menefee Blackwell, was 
born on February 17, 1916. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in 
Lexington, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri-
Columbia in 1936. While in college, he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa 
and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Then, he attended the University of 
Michigan Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and 
a member of Phi Delta Phi law fraternity. Upon graduation in 1939, he 
joined a law firm then called McCune, Caldwell & Downing.
  Chuck left the law firm in 1942 to serve his country during World War 
II. He rose from the rank of second lieutenant to major while assigned 
to the Fourteenth Armored Division, Army of the United States, from 
1942 until 1946. A war hero, his military service was recognized with a 
Silver Star, a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, a Purple Heart and 
three battle stars.
  In 1948, Chuck rejoined the law firm, known for many years as 
Blackwell, Sanders, Matheny, Weary & Lombardi, where he served as a 
managing partner. Professional affiliations developed during his 57 
year law career included the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, 
the American Bar Association, the Missouri Bar and the Lawyers 
Association of Kansas City. He also served on many corporate boards.
  Chuck was also involved in many civic and charitable activities in 
his community. He was a University Trustee of the Nelson-Atkins Museum 
of Art from 1957 to 1991. Additionally, Chuck was a member of the Board 
of Governors of the American Royal Association, Vice President and 
Director of the Charles R. and Minnie Cook Foundation, board member of 
the Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation and the Greater Kansas City 
Community Foundation, Trustee of the Loretta M. Cowden Foundation and 
the Midwest Research Institute, and Director of the Starlight Theatre 
Association. Furthermore, Chuck was an avid hunter and fisherman and 
loyal Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Missouri Tigers fan.
  Chuck married the late Mary Lou Harris Blackwell of Kansas City on 
April 25, 1942. They were married for 56 years and had one son, the 
late Stephen M. Blackwell.
   Mr. Speaker, Chuck Blackwell was my good friend and a great 
American. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending 
heartfelt condolences to his family.

                          ____________________