[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 98 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING JOHN KEY McKINLEY

  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I wish to honor the life and legacy of my 
friend John Key McKinley, a Tuscaloosa native, who passed away on June 
12. John was a dedicated philanthropist and skilled businessman who 
will be forever remembered as a dear friend to the State of Alabama and 
to the University of Alabama.
  Born in Tuscaloosa in 1920, John graduated from Tuscaloosa High 
School. He went to earn a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and 
a master's degree in organic chemistry from the University of Alabama. 
He was inducted into Tau Beta Pi and the Scabbard and Blade Society at 
the University and was a member of the Capstone Engineering Society. 
While in college, John was also a cadet in the ROTC and rose to the 
rank of cadet colonel and brigade commander. However, John's 
contributions go on well beyond his days as a student--he was a 
generous benefactor and steadfast supporter of the university 
throughout his life.
  After graduating from Alabama in 1941, John began his career at 
Texaco. He left Texaco in August 1941 to join the Army and serve in 
Newfoundland and Europe during World War II. In August 1944 shortly 
after D-day, John landed on Utah Beach and took part in battles across 
France, Belgium, and Germany--including the Battle of the Bulge as the 
Allied troops moved through Western Europe and onto Berlin. As a result 
of his unwavering bravery during the battle for the Roer River, he 
received the prestigious Bronze Star. He also rose to the rank of major 
during his service in the Army.
  Following the war, John returned to Texaco, where he held numerous 
positions within the company. He excelled in research and development--
holding over a dozen patents from petroleum additives and grease 
components--and also continued his education. In 1962, he graduated 
from Harvard University's Advanced Management Program. Less than 10 
years later, John was named the company's president, and in 1980 he 
became Texaco's president, chief executive, and chairman until his 
retirement in 1986.
  In addition to his work at Texaco, John served on the board of 
directors for several companies, including Texaco, Inc., Federated 
Department Stores, Burlington Industries, Martin Marietta Corporation, 
Merck & Co., Inc., Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, Manufacturers 
Hanover Corporation, and Apollo Computer, Inc. He also served on the 
board of directors of the Metropolitan Opera, the Peregrine Fund, the 
Americas Society, Business Council for Effective Literacy, and Memorial 
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. John also took an active role in many 
civic and professional organizations, such as the Brookings Council, 
the Business Council--Washington DC, and President's Commission on 
Executive Exchange.
  John's contributions did not go unnoticed. He was awarded the George 
Washington Honor Medal by the Freedom Foundation, the Gold Medal by the 
National Institute of Social Sciences, the American Eagle Award by the 
Invest-In-America National Council, and the Wallace Award by the 
American-Scottish Foundation. He was inducted into the Alabama Business 
Hall of Fame in 1982 and was installed in the Alabama Academy of Honor 
in 1983. Additionally, the Belgian Government presented John with the 
Commandeur de L'Ordre de la Courrone in 1984, which is the highest 
decoration given to a corporate leader in recognition of significant 
contributions to Belgium's economic sector.
  I had the honor of knowing John and his wife Helen, who preceded him 
in death, as well as their two sons, John Jr. and Mark. I offer my 
deepest condolences to them and to all of their loved ones as they 
celebrate his many life accomplishments and mourn this great loss.

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