[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 70 (Thursday, June 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO WALTER AND RUTH McCANN ON THEIR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President it is a privilege to take this 
opportunity to honor Mr. and Mrs. J. Walter McCann of Burlington, 
Massachusetts. On Saturday, June 10, they will celebrate their golden 
wedding anniversary of 50 years together. They have been proud 
residents of Burlington since 1959, successfully raising 7 children, 16 
grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
  These two distinguished Americans have seen extraordinary advances in 
our state and our country in their lifetime. They are part of the great 
generation that saw the nation through the Depression and World War II, 
and their strong values give us all a deep and enduring sense of what 
it means to be an American.
  Ruth Gertrude McCann is the youngest of eight sisters and one 
brother. She was born in her parents' home at 58 Warren Street in 
Arlington, Massachusetts on June 29, 1921, the beautiful daughter of 
Annie and Charles Dennen. Over the next three decades, ``Ma'' or 
``Mom'' became an accomplished athlete and opera singer. She made a 
recording of her own, and gave a distinguished performance at Radio 
City Music Hall in New York City. There, she met and fell in love with 
Walter McCann, and they've had a wonderful marriage ever since. As she 
likes to say, ``Walter, why did you lead me to the altar?'' The answer 
is obvious to all.
  In their neighborhood in Burlington, Ruth was every child's mom, 
especially when making jelly from the grapes picked on the hill behind 
her home, or ringing the metal triangle on the porch to call the 
children home each night for dinner. She loved her children's 
activities, and was often at Glee Club or Athletic Booster events, at 
bingo or bowling, or in the grandstand even on cold days at Pop Warner 
games. Her husband often traveled, and she became the ``Little Birdie 
in the Window'' who guided her family as it grew.
  Joseph Walter McCann was born on January 21, 1920 in Lowell, 
Massachusetts in his family home, the second son of four children 
raised by Alma and William Francis McCann. An energetic young man, 
``JW'' or ``Walter'' was an avid skier at Tuckerman's Ravine in New 
Hampshire each winter. He loved to ``walk uphill in the snow'' for the 
love of the sport with his cousin Jackie Stowell, his childhood best 
friend.
  His wife and children have warm and vivid memories of his enormous 
trust and faith in the federal and state governments, whose actions 
were often eloquently and vigorously debated at the dinner table. His 
``stand up and be counted'' philosophy of life was always challenging 
to those around him, and his quick wit entertained all who came to know 
him.
  As a father, he would often take the family camping and nourish them 
with ``Campers Delight'' for dinner. Returning home from business 
trips, he was always well informed by the ``Little Birdie in the 
Window'' about his children's activities--and even about their 
mischievous behavior. His children were in awe that he knew so much. 
But most of all, each of his children and grandchildren will always 
remember listening to him read stories, especially at Christmas, and 
the loving phone calls made by Santa to each one of them every year.
  Mr. President, on this special occasion, I congratulate Walter and 
Ruth McCann as they enjoy and celebrate their golden anniversary 
together. Their commitment to the principles and values of their 
marriage, their family, and their country deserve to be recognized and 
saluted. I wish them a very happy 50th wedding anniversary, and 
continuing wonderful times together in the years to come.

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