[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                HONORING THE LIFE OF STEPHEN PETER LYNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret and sorrow that I 
announce to the House the passing of a good friend and former staff 
member, Stephen Peter Lynch.
  Steve was a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, the whaling and 
textile capital of the world. He was a Vietnam War Era Veteran and was 
recommended for the Seventh Army Commendation Medal. After his 
honorable discharge in 1970, he attended Saint Louis University in 
pursuit of a post-graduate degree in Political Science. He was a 
seasoned Capitol Hill staffer for almost thirty years and was an active 
member in the Irish community, along with many other civic efforts.
  Steve's work on Capitol Hill began in the fall of 1973, where he 
served as a research assistant to the Judiciary Committee's 
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice. There, his research on the Federal 
Rules of Evidence and the development of Special Prosecutor legislation 
were to hold the key to his work on Capitol Hill for the remainder of 
his professional career. In addition to his research duties, he also 
assisted in the investigations of the firing of Special Prosecutor 
Archibald Cox, the pardon of President Richard M. Nixon, and the 
subsequent attempt to reopen the pardon investigation. This work also 
included being a special assistant to the Subcommittee Chairman on the 
impeachment investigation of Richard Nixon and serving as a Committee 
representative to the staff and security force of Governor Nelson A. 
Rockefeller during his Vice Presidential confirmation hearings.
  His other service on Capitol Hill included: Staff Director on the 
Regulatory Agencies and Export Opportunities Subcommittees of the House 
Committee on Small Business (1975-1983); Minority Professional Staff 
Member on the Subcommittee on Export Opportunities and Special Small 
Business Problems, House Committee on Small Business (1984-1991); House 
Committee on Small Business, Minority Staff Director (1991-1993); and 
House Committee on Small Business, Majority Director of Special 
Projects (1994-1996).
  In 1998, after a short retirement, Steve returned to Capitol Hill to 
serve on the House Judiciary Committee's staff on the Impeachment 
investigation of President Clinton, where he conducted research 
analysis and acted as the archivist for the Committee until 2001. His 
consummate knowledge of the history of the Nixon investigation made him 
invaluable to the committee.
  As an active member of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee of 
Washington, D.C. since 1983, Steve was instrumental in getting many 
prominent individuals to serve as parade Grand Marshal, including House 
Speaker Thomas ``Tip'' O'Neill (1986), the First Lady of the American 
Theater, Helen Hays (1987), and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Carmencita 
Hederman (1988). As Chairman of the Parade Committee (2000-2002), Steve 
expanded the parade's visibility nationally. He began by having a web 
site created, reorganizing and expanding the Committee, and 
establishing the office of Chairman Emeritus in tribute to past parole 
chairmen and naming Cecilia Farley as the first Emeritus.
  Steve's participation in the Irish-American community went beyond his 
parade activities. He was a founding member of the American Foundation 
for Irish Heritage with the late John O'Beirne. Since 1990, Steve 
served as Secretary on the Board of Directors. The American Foundation 
for Irish Heritage was instrumental in getting Congressional 
legislation passed to designate March as ``Irish-American Heritage 
Month'' by Presidential Proclamation.
  In addition to pursuing his Irish roots, Steve also shared his love 
for people and history by volunteering with other organizations. He 
served as co-chairman of the Friends of the Negro League Baseball 
Players Association, as well as historian for the Capitol Hill 
Philatelic Society.
  Steve passed away on March 9, 2003, at his home in Takoma Park, 
Maryland. He is survived by his sister, Diana L. Coyne; his niece, 
Elizabeth Coyne; his nephew, Michael Coyne; brother-in-law, Jay Coyne, 
and half-brother, Frank Lynch.
  All of us who knew Steve enjoyed his warm and caring spirit. We will 
miss him. I conclude with the old Irish Blessing:

     May the road rise up to meet you,
     May the wind be always at your back,
     May the sun shine warm upon your face,
     And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
     And until we meet again,
     May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

  Godspeed, old friend.

                          ____________________