[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING WILLIAM MEEHAN

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President I come to the floor today to remember 
William Meehan, an ``icon'' of Somerset, in the words of former fire 
chief Steven Rivard. He was a loving, and beloved, husband to JoAnne, 
brother to Robert and John, father to John and Steve, and grandfather 
to Jake, Owen, and Liam. William is remembered by those who knew him 
best as an impassioned cheerleader and reliable presence on the 
sidelines of his grandchildren's sports games, as a thoughtful and 
compassionate voice on the Board of Selectmen, as an affable, warm 
family man armed with a lively Irish humor.
  William was an anchor of his family and of his town. His care for his 
town shone through his work and was reflected in his daily life. The 
people of Somerset recall a dedicated public servant who embodied the 
most noble qualities of a community advocate while eschewing the 
divisive demagoguery that too often finds its way into politics. In his 
15 years as one of three selectmen for his town, he proved time and 
again that he was more interested in understanding the concerns of 
others and finding a just solution to any problem than he was in 
political bickering. And his example inspired those around him, with 
his son Michael venturing into public service and actually serving in 
my office for many years with great distinction.
  In his last year on the board of selectmen, William was a part of the 
opening of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, a decade's long project to 
connect Fall River with Somerset over the Taunton River. And he was 
intimately involved in the process that put into motion plans for the 
new Somerset Berkley Regional High School. His interest was always in 
community over conflict, in people rather than politics, and that is to 
what he devoted his life.
  Friends remember William having lunch every day with peers or first 
responders or community leaders, and he would often be found chatting 
with neighbors and storekeepers around town or among the stands at 
local sporting events. He was a sportsman himself, with baseball second 
only to family and community. When he wasn't coaching Somerset Little 
League, as he did for many years, he could be found out on the golf 
course.
  I understand that William would make time each day after lunch to 
venture to the park and watch the boats sailing the Taunton River. I 
imagine the gentle breeze off the water, the parade of ships coming and 
going with the sun high in the sky, and William sitting along the shore 
facing the water, breathing in the air and taking in the moment. We 
won't see him there any longer, but when we look out at the boats 
drifting by, we will think of William and remember the goodness he 
shared with the people of Somerset and beyond.
  To JoAnne and William's family, I extend my deepest condolences. And 
to William, I wish him eternal rest watching over his family and all 
those he cared about so deeply. And I wish him the same peace he found 
along the river's edge.

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