[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3911-S3912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO EDWARD KEHOE

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary Vermonter and a determined leader, Edward Kehoe. Ed Kehoe 
was born in Rutland, my hometown, to the late James and Grace Kehoe and 
graduated from Rutland High School

[[Page S3912]]

before serving in the U.S. Army with the 26th Infantry Regiment during 
World War II. As a decorated war hero, Ed Kehoe returned to Vermont to 
own and operate Kehoe's Diner in Hydeville.
  Ed Kehoe served as the town manager of Castleton from 1955 to 1965 
before being elected the Vermont House for a single term. In August 
1965, Ed Kehoe was appointed to head the Fish and Game Department where 
he served as the Vermont fish and wildlife commissioner under four 
governors until he retired in August 1982. He was an avid sportsman and 
member of an many Vermont sportsmen organizations until his death in 
late April. At the time of his appointment Ed Kehoe was initially 
troubled by his lack of a ``professional'' background in biology or 
wildlife management. However, his experience as a hunter and angler 
gave him the needed edge.
  Led by his ability to draw on experience and heed the advise of 
biologists, Ed Kehoe led the Vermont crusade to resist development 
pressures. During his 17-year tenure as commissioner, Ed Kehoe 
established two Green Mountain Conservation camps to help teach younger 
Vermonters how to fish and camp, helped to improve the state warden 
force, expanded the statewide Hunter Safety Program, and worked to 
restore Connecticut River salmon and wild turkeys throughout Vermont. 
Perhaps Ed Kehoe's greatest contribution to the state was his ability 
to push, acquire, and protect lands with significant wildlife and 
recreation value.
  Ed Kehoe's most recent award speaks to his accomplishments. Last year 
the Rutland Herald honored his visionary concerns about nongame species 
and protection of important property by naming him, ``Outdoorsman of 
the Century.'' John Hall, spokesman with Fish and Wildlife Department, 
recently alluded to Ed Kehoe's achievement, ``Ed wanted to make sure we 
were passing on the hunting and fishing traditions to future 
generations of Vermonter to enjoy. He always had the everyday Vermonter 
in mind, the average person of average means. He was the supreme 
steward of fish and wildlife resources.''
  I pay tribute today to a man who paid tribute every day, to the 
values the everyday Vermonter holds dear. We have lost an extraordinary 
man, but his contributions to Vermont wildlife policy will live 
on.

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