[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 93 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING PATRICIA McCUNNIFF REGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 8, 2004

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
notable Kansas City resident, Patricia McCunniff Regan, on her 79th 
birthday. Patty, as she is affectionately called by all who know her, 
has devoted her life to being a spirit of friendliness and benevolence 
wherever she goes. With her late husband, Bob, and friends and 
neighbors, she created ``Westports of the World,'' an assembly of 
Westport sister cities stretching across our great nation and the globe 
from New Zealand to Ireland. Global Westport residents have been 
meeting in a sister city since the assembly's inception. Westport in 
Kansas City hosted a pioneer meeting in 1985 and a worldwide convention 
in 1995.
  Throughout her life, Patty has focused on creating positive change in 
the community around her by participating in campaigns and exercising 
her rights as a citizen. She assists those in need and is a model of 
exemplary public service. Patty and Bob worked for civil rights and 
fair housing in the 1960's while raising their children. As she 
approaches her eighth decade, Patty continues to make our community and 
country a better place.
  Patty and Bob welcomed nine children into this world. Without doubt, 
their children and grandchildren are a tribute and a great source of 
pride. Despite e.g.. losing son Timothy at age seven in 1961 and 
husband Bob in 1986, Patty maintains her ``joie de vivre.'' Terry 
Leager, Amy Schulz, Danny Regan, Becky Regan, Peggy Regan, Jenny 
Krizman, Patrick Regan, and Carol Braun are fortunate, indeed, as are 
their children. They exemplify the generosity of character and fun 
loving spirit of Patty and Bob.
  Patty truly lives the axiom she taught her children--to think of 
others before oneself. She demonstrates selfless optimism and 
generosity through her community activities, by her service as a 
Eucharistic minister in the Guardian Angels parish, and in giving blood 
every eight weeks for most of her adult life. I have personally 
benefited from her loving generosity on numerous occasions in the more 
than quarter century we Irish lassies have depended upon each other. 
What would Christmas be without Regan cookies and luminarias created at 
their Roanoke abode?
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Patty Regan on her 79th 
birthday. I am grateful for her friendship and am honored to recognize 
her for a lifetime of giving back to her community. Westport is a 
better place for her being in it, as are all the lives she has touched 
in her 79 years of extraordinary good works.

                          ____________________