[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 130 (Tuesday, August 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF JOHN CHRISTOPHER LaMONICA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 1, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to 
commemorate the life of Mr. John Christopher LaMonica.
  Mr. LaMonica's career in broadcast journalism is a catalogue of the 
major events of 20th century history. From Central Asia to the Middle 
East to Southern Africa; from the secret nuclear cities of Siberia to 
New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina; he used facts to tell stories 
with moral truths.
  Originally from Rye, New York, Mr. LaMonica attended Georgetown 
University's School of Foreign Service. In 1979, he became an Adjunct 
Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He cut 
his teeth as a consultant for Henry Kissinger and became a newsman with 
Ted Koppel, working for decades as an investigative producer for ABC 
News Nightline. In 2006 he took the legacy of journalism from that 
program with him to Discovery, where he produced cutting-edge 
documentaries with Mr. Koppel on subjects ranging from the history of 
race relations in America to surviving cancer. Mr. LaMonica continued 
that work as an executive producer at Al Jazeera America.
  The sum total of years spent away from his family in Russia and Iran 
and some of the most dangerous places on earth rewarded Mr. LaMonica 
with numerous National Emmys, several Dupont-Columbia and Peabody 
awards, the Overseas Press Club Edward R. Murrow Award, and the Global 
Health Council Excellence in Media Award. In 1987, he earned the Benton 
Fellowship in broadcast journalism from the University of Chicago. But 
what meant the world to Mr. LaMonica was that it can be said of him 
that he was a great father, the best grandfather, and, quite simply, a 
good man.
  In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Mr. LaMonica continuously 
gave back to our community. His philanthropic efforts included his 
involvement with the Knights of Columbus, HOPE in Northern Virginia and 
the Zambia Orphans of AIDS, and the St. Peter Claver Society.
  Mr. LaMonica died peacefully in his bed at home in Virginia on March 
13, 2016, after battling cancer for nearly a year. He is survived by 
his wife, Teresa; her son; their three children; and four 
grandchildren, who still miss the man they called ``Papa Jay.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life 
of, and bidding farewell to Jay LaMonica. May he rest in peace, and his 
family be comforted.

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