[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 112 (Monday, July 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1399-E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MASSACHUSETTS AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL WILL GREATLY MISS MYRA KRAFT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2011

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, last week, one of 
Massachusetts' leading citizens succumbed to a long illness, which she 
had courageously fought. Myra Kraft was the partner and wife of Robert 
Kraft, and co-owner of the New England Patriots. Under the leadership 
of the Kraft family, the Patriots became one of the great sports 
franchises in America, not simply because of their extremely impressive 
record of Super Bowl championships, but because of the honorable way in 
which they conducted their business, and because of the great 
contributions they made to their community. I have the honor of 
representing the Town of Foxboro, in which the Patriots play, and in 
which the Kraft family created a wonderful commercial complex that adds 
a great deal to the economic and cultural life not just of the town but 
of the entire region.
  Mr. Speaker, I've had the pleasure of walking through the complex 
with members of the Kraft family and I can report to you that the 
residents of New England--not just Massachusetts--are understandably 
great enthusiasts of the work the family has done.
  Myra Kraft was an extraordinary contributor to the society around 
her, not just through the work of the Patriots, but through her great 
charitable efforts. She was a leading member of the organized work of 
the Jewish community of Greater Boston, but her good works were not 
confined.
  All of Massachusetts will miss her, even those who did not know of 
the work she did, because she was not one to seek publicity for her 
efforts. And those of us who did have the privilege of knowing her are 
particularly saddened by her loss.
  Mr. Speaker, the Boston Globe for Friday, July 22, in its lead 
editorial expressed what our community feels about Myra Kraft and I ask 
that because she presented such a wonderful example of good citizenship 
in a democracy, that this editorial be printed.

                 [From the Boston Globe, July 22, 2011]

       Myra Kraft Was a Role Model for Family Loyalty and Giving

       Bob Kraft, the developer turned football impresario, made 
     the once-derided New England Patriots a symbol of local 
     pride. Myra, his wife of 48 years, made the Kraft family a 
     symbol of civic responsibility. Her numerous charitable 
     works, including chairing the local boards of the Combined 
     Jewish Philanthropies and the Boys & Girls Clubs, paralleled 
     Bob's rise in the statewide business community
       The Krafts were an unbreakable unit. Bob and Myra's four 
     sons shared in all their parents' endeavors. On May 3, the 
     Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce honored the family for 
     their work on behalf of the community, fueled by Myra's 
     tireless exertions.
       She was too ill to attend the banquet, but her husband, 
     sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren all stood proudly 
     together on the dais--an honor guard of which any mother 
     would be eternally proud,
       ``I got it right the first time,'' quipped Bob, referring 
     to Myra, whom he married when she was just 20. Myra Kraft, 
     who died

[[Page E1400]]

     Wednesday and for whom services will be held today made many 
     contributions to the Boston area. Foremost among them is the 
     example she set for family loyalty and shared commitment. It 
     will live on not only through her offspring, but through 
     others who tightened their own family bonds, even if in a 
     small way, in response to her inspiration.

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