[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN CHARLES ``CHUCK'' McATEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of 
Captain Charles ``Chuck'' McAtee. After leading a life devoted to 
public service, Captain McAtee passed away on Friday, April 8, 2005 
from acute leukemia.
  In his life, Captain McAtee was committed to the principle of country 
before self. When duty called, he answered, serving proudly and 
honorably as a United States Marine in the Korean War. His experiences 
in Korea inspired him to later lead the effort to ensure the dedication 
of the Northeast Kansas Korean War Memorial in Topeka in 2003. He also 
generously shared his love of country with others, such as his 
financial support to Marine Junior ROTC programs.
  Following active military service, Captain McAtee pursued two of his 
great interests in life--public service and the law. He first 
demonstrated a devotion to law through his work for the law firm of 
Eidson, Lewis, Porter & Haynes in Topeka, Kansas. He also used his 
legal knowledge serving as an officer to the 1st Marine Division 
Association.
  Captain McAtee later became involved in public service at the age of 
27, working as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
He then transitioned into State government, combining his passion for 
law and law enforcement through service as the Director of Penal 
Institutions for the State of Kansas--a position that would define the 
remainder of his life.
  As Director of Penal Institutions for the State of Kansas, Captain 
McAtee played a major role in the case of the Clutter family murders 
and bringing their killers to justice. The murders eventually became 
the subject of author Truman Capote's book In Cold Blood. Captain 
McAtee's position brought him in close contact with the convicted 
murderers in the Clutter case, receiving frequent uncensored 
correspondence from them and visiting with them during their time on 
death row.
  Captain McAtee also demonstrated leadership and commitment to public 
service by representing the Republican Party as a candidate for 
Congress in 1972, and as a candidate for Kansas's Attorney General in 
2002.
  Although his experiences took him around the world and into the 
national spotlight, he never abandoned the values instilled in him by 
his parents, neighbors and friends in the small, Kansas hometown of 
Mahaska. The principles of hard work, integrity, and justice that had 
been engrained in him in his youth, guided his efforts throughout his 
life.
  Captain Charles ``Chuck'' McAtee was a true public servant who fit 
the situation within which he was called to serve. I join his many 
friends in extending my deepest sympathies to his family during their 
time of loss.

                          ____________________