[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3914-S3915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF JO-ANN MOLNAR

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would like to share just a few 
words about a good friend we recently lost, someone I have known since 
I first ran for Lieutenant Governor in Massachusetts in 1982, a good 
hearted and selfless individual who was always an inspiration, Jo-Ann 
Molnar. Jo-Ann recently passed away after bravely battling cancer, and 
I know that I am not alone in saying that as someone whose life was 
touched by Jo-Ann Molnar's service, activism, and warmth, there is 
today a deep and profound sense of loss. In Jo-Ann many of us have 
lost--and today I would like to honor--a committed activist, a person 
of enormous courage and character and, most simply, a great friend.
  I first met Jo-Ann Molnar when I was running for Lieutenant Governor 
of Massachusetts, and Jo-Ann approached me at one of our earliest 
events and offered to help in any way she could. It was on that race in 
the middle of a difficult and heated campaign that Jo-Ann first 
demonstrated to me not just that she was an indefatigable volunteer, 
but that she was one of those individuals who--through her commitment 
to do what is right, through her belief in politics not as sport but as 
a fight for principle--could reaffirm precisely why politics matters 
and why public service is worthwhile.
  Jo-Ann and I remained close ever since that first campaign, and I 
looked forward to and always appreciated Jo-Ann's warm cards and 
greetings. Always a loyal friend, Jo-Ann would share with me her 
thoughts on issues of importance, keep me abreast of her 
accomplishments, and offer me words of encouragement as I worked to 
find my way in the United States Senate.
  It was through her frequent cards and letters--and the occasional 
happy meeting either in Massachusetts or at political gatherings around 
the Maryland area--that I learned of the many ways in which Jo-Ann 
continued to dedicate herself to public service. Her determination to 
make a difference led her to remarkable achievements. In 1977, Jo-Ann 
graduated magna cum laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University, with a 
degree in history and political science. She went on to earn a master's 
degree in political science from American University. Jo-Ann selflessly 
offered her leadership to her fellow Democrats, serving admirably as 
President of the Montgomery County, Maryland Young Democrats, as Vice 
Chair of the Handicapped Commission in Montgomery County, and on the 
Board of Directors of the Montgomery County public libraries. In 
addition to her help with my campaigns, Jo-Ann served as a legislative 
intern to U.S. Senator Donald Reigle, U.S. Representative Gene Andrew 
Maguire, and Montgomery County Council member Michael L. Gudis. She 
also worked as a Congressional Liaison Assistant for the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services. For almost a decade, Jo-Ann 
served as a legal researcher for the Human Relations Commission. She 
gave of herself as a Sunday School teacher and a confirmation teacher 
at the Foundary United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C, as well as 
an instructor at Colesville United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, 
Maryland.
  Mr. President, Jo-Ann lived a life true to her ideals of service--
service to community, service to faith. I would add, though, that none 
of these achievements would have been possible if Jo-Ann had not worked 
so hard to overcome cerebral palsy. Jo-Ann refused to be slowed by her 
disability--

[[Page S3915]]

and in fact rejected the notion that she should in any way lower her 
expectations for herself or expect different expectations from those to 
whom she so selflessly offered her best efforts. Jo-Ann was a fighter, 
and I continually marveled at her drive to rise above what some would 
view as limitations.
  For that reason, Jo-Ann served as one of the best possible advocates 
and activists for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Honored as a 
teenager for her activism on the Education for All Handicapped Children 
Act, Jo-Ann kept pushing as an adult to break down barriers in our 
society that she believed kept disabled Americans from maximizing their 
contributions to their communities and our nation. Jo-Ann was not just 
an advocate for legislation to protect and empower disabled Americans--
she was the living embodiment of those efforts.
  Mr. President, it is difficult to accept that we have all lost a 
friend in Jo-Ann Molnar, but it is particularly difficult, I know, for 
Jo-Ann's family--her mother, Helen, and her two sisters, Dorothy and 
Ilona. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
  I was comforted, though, to learn that Jo-Ann was able to enjoy life 
as she had always done, up until her last days. Jo-Ann's mother, Helen, 
let me know that she had a wonderful Christmas with her family and was 
able to attend a New Millenium New Year's Eve celebration, complete 
with the 60's rock music she loved. Just as she did throughout her 
life, even in her most difficult days, Jo-Ann kept on doing the things 
that she loved--and she moved forward in so many remarkable efforts 
driven by a real sense of social conscience.
  Mr. President, today I remember Jo-Ann for her service, her 
friendship, and her kindness. All of us who knew her continue to draw 
strength from her courage and her faith, and Jo-Ann's life continues to 
inspire.

                          ____________________