[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H1853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE THOMAS HOWARD KEAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Lance) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LANCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished 
public service of the Honorable Thomas Howard Kean, 48th Governor of 
New Jersey, who will become 80 years old next month. Governor Kean is 
one of the most respected statesmen in the country due to his 
tremendous contributions to the civic life of New Jersey and of the 
Nation.
  Governor Kean was born on April 21, 1935, in New York City, to 
Elizabeth Stuyvesant Howard and Robert Winthrop Kean. His father served 
for 20 years in the House of Representatives and became the ranking 
member on the Ways and Means Committee. His grandfather, Hamilton Fish 
Kean, was United States Senator from New Jersey. Historians can trace 
his family's long and proud history of public service to William 
Livingston, signer of the United States Constitution and the first 
Governor of New Jersey. Governor Kean was graduated from Princeton 
University in 1957, and after military service returned to Livingston, 
New Jersey, named for his ancestor.
  Governor Kean started his own career in public office with election 
to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1967. Known as a thoughtful and 
diligent legislator, he was elected to lead the chamber in 1972, when 
he became the youngest speaker of the general assembly in New Jersey 
history. Governor Kean's two successful campaigns for Governor of New 
Jersey were each of historical significance: in 1981, his election 
marked the closest margin of victory in State history, while his 1985 
reelection was the largest margin of victory ever recorded in a 
gubernatorial race in our State.
  Mr. Speaker, New Jersey saw significant improvements to public 
education, environmental protection, access to high-quality health 
care, and stable taxing and spending policies during the Kean 
governorship. His most defining legacy was his record of inclusive 
public engagement that facilitated progress, compromise, and the 
advancement of the best interests of New Jersey. Following his time in 
Trenton, Governor Kean served for 15 years as president of Drew 
University in Madison, New Jersey, where applications, the physical 
structure, and the endowment increased dramatically.
  In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 
President Bush turned to Governor Kean and former Indiana Congressman 
Lee Hamilton to chair the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon 
the United States. The two chairs led an exhaustive review of the 
intelligence, homeland security, and governmental response before and 
after the acts of terror perpetrated against this country. The 9/11 
Commission's work and leadership drew bipartisan acclaim and resulted 
in major reforms to improve our Nation's security preparedness. The 
United States is safer today thanks to the tremendous work of Governor 
Kean and his colleagues.
  I had the honor to serve as an assistant counsel to Governor Kean in 
Trenton and am honored now to call him a constituent in the 
congressional district I serve. I have learned continually from 
Governor Kean, whether through observation or instruction, and I am 
among the many New Jerseyans who consider him a mentor.
  Governor Kean is a wonderful son and brother, husband, father and 
grandfather, educator, leader, colleague, and friend. He and his wife, 
the former Deborah Bye of Wilmington, Delaware, have raised three fine 
children, twin sons, Thomas and Reed, and daughter, Alexandra. His son, 
Thomas H. Kean, Jr., is my successor as minority leader in the New 
Jersey State Senate.
  On his 80th birthday, I congratulate Governor Thomas H. Kean and wish 
him many years ahead of good health and happiness. The United States of 
America owes him a significant debt of gratitude for all that he has 
done in service to the Nation.

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