[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E369-E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF RAY McKENNA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Ray McKenna of East Hartford, a community sports leader, champion, 
and friend, who passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2005.
  A hometown hero, Ray defined integrity, commitment, and generosity of 
spirit and vision to his family and the East Hartford community. For 
kids like me growing up in East Hartford, the man from Burnside--Ray 
McKenna was a legend. At East Hartford High, Ray demonstrated his 
competitive nature in athletics and excelled at basketball, football 
and baseball. In 1939, he was the instrumental cog in East Hartford's 
first Connecticut state basketball championship. With a sense of duty 
to his country, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and 
was stationed in the Philippines and the Aleutian Islands. Upon his 
return, Ray organized a local fast-pitch softball team, the legendary 
Burnside Dovelettes in 1947. For 30 years, he lead the Dovelettes to 
the top of the semipro league with a record of 1,831-339. While 
employed by the East Hartford Post Office, Ray formed the Marco Polo 
Explorers basketball team and coached them to 13 New England Basketball 
Association titles. In 35 years, the semipro team held an unparallel 
record of 1,123 to 245. Ray also founded and directed the annual Tap-
Off Club Hall of Fame dinner to honor East Hartford athletes for 28 
years. Although Ray retired from the Post Office in 1985, his long 
interest in sports continued and he became Sports Editor for the East 
Hartford Gazette--the most widely read column in the town.
  The impact Ray has had on the town of East Hartford is inspirational. 
In 1984, East Hartford honored Ray's devotion to athletics by 
dedicating a local sports field in his name. For over two decades, Ray 
McKenna Field has been the home for baseball teams of all ages, 
including the Hartford Hawks. In 1985, Ray was presented with the Gold 
Key, the most prestigious sports' award in the state of Connecticut. 
The Gold Key is awarded by the Connecticut Sports Writer's Alliance to 
those like Ray, who have made noteworthy contributions to athletics in 
Connecticut. Representing one of Connecticut's finest, Ray was also 
inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame at the University 
of Rhode Island in 2003.
  With all his good works and awards of recognition, Ray will most be 
remembered for his honest love of the game. He lived everyday giving 
back to his community and inspired the best in all of us. To Ray, true 
victory was the result of discipline, confidence, and heart. His giving 
nature, generous laugh and Irish wit will be missed by all those who 
knew him. For my family and myself, we will forever treasure and value 
this wonderful man who so loved the game, the competition, and the 
camaraderie of sports and made it the centerpiece of his life in East 
Hartford, the state of Connecticut and throughout the Nation.
  Our hearts go out to the entire McKenna family, especially his 
beloved wife Josephine,

[[Page E370]]

his son Michael, and daughters Dorene, Susan and Carol, eight 
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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