[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF TOM McCAFFREY

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Tom McCaffrey, beloved husband, devoted musician, and teacher to so 
many. Mr. McCaffrey dedicated his life to encouraging and inspiring 
Clevelanders and brought them that which they had never felt and taught 
them the joy, warmth, power and strength of Irish traditional music.
  Mr. McCaffrey was born in 1916, in Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland, 
where he worked on the family farm until coming to America in 1955. Mr. 
McCaffrey was unable to resist the allure of music and at 10 years of 
age he took up the fife and flute. After a year of flirtation with the 
woodwinds, Mr. McCaffrey found his true love and calling in the fiddle. 
For knowledge Mr. McCaffrey turned to his father, also a teacher and 
player of the fiddle, and sought all musicians who traveled through 
town. It was not long before he mastered the fiddle and with his fine, 
strong voice, Mr. McCaffrey was requested at local festivals and 
dances. In Cleveland, he teamed up with Tom Byrne, a master flute 
player and fellow inspirer, to record the album Irish Music From 
Cleveland. Mr. McCaffrey and Mr. Byrne had a lifelong friendship full 
of music and laughter.
  At the age of 83, Mr. McCaffrey found his other great love, Alice 
Kelly. Mr. McCaffrey was known to always have a smile and story ready 
and never hesitated to share his wealth of knowledge or his music. 
Recorded at the Smithsonian Institute, Mr. McCaffrey's music will truly 
live on in those whom he taught and in the hearts of all that have 
heard him play.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance 
of Mr. Tom McCaffrey, whose smile, charm, wit, and Irish wisdom will be 
remembered and shared and whose memory will live in the tunes and 
tales. I offer my deep condolences to his wife, Alice, to all his 
family and friends, and to the many who have been inspired and touched 
by all that he has given.

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