[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 119 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FATHER KENNETH WESTRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2020

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Father Kenneth 
Westray, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in San Francisco and a 
civil and human rights champion in our city, who sadly passed away last 
week, on June 24, 2020.
  Father Westray was a pillar of the San Francisco community whose 
selfless leadership was a tribute to the mission of the namesake of our 
parish, St. Vincent. He ministered to the poor and the most vulnerable 
in our community with great love, respect and faith. We all will 
remember and be inspired by the unwavering compassion and courage he 
showed in the face of the AIDS epidemic, which brought strength and 
solace to so many during one of the darkest chapters of our city's and 
country's history.
  Personally, my husband Paul, my family and I were deeply saddened to 
hear of Father Westray's passing. Our family have been parishioners at 
St. Vincent de Paul for generations, since Paul's parents John and 
Corinne Pelosi became parishioners in the 1930s. We count ourselves 
blessed to have known Father Westray, beloved by all for his kind and 
gentle soul, who strengthened our church as he built community and 
inspired love for service and love for God.
  We enjoyed being with Father Ken in San Francisco and even in 
Washington. I had the privilege of welcoming Father Ken and his family 
to the U.S. Capitol for the visit of Pope Francis. His mother Jean was 
beaming with pride in him that day and on her visits to San Francisco. 
We shared a dedication to the San Francisco Interfaith Council and the 
San Francisco 49ers.
  Over forty years, Father Westray was a powerful force for good in our 
community, lifting up the lives of so many. Although born in our 
nation's capital, Father Westray was proudly claimed by San Franciscans 
as a son of our city. He completed his seminary studies at St. 
Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park and dedicated the rest of his life to 
ministering to the needs of our Bay Area community.
  After-being ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Quinn at St. 
Mary's Cathedral, Father Westray began his first assignment as 
associate pastor at Sacred Heart Church in San Francisco. Over the next 
forty years, he would serve in parishes throughout our city: at St. 
Elizabeth Parish, on the Council of Priests, at Sacred Heart Grammar 
School where he would minister for 14 years, at St. Sebastian Parish in 
Greenbrae, at St. Isabella Parish in San Rafael, and at our St. Vincent 
de Paul Parish. He served several terms on the Board of Directors of 
the San Francisco Interfaith Council, a powerful force for healing and 
unity in our community, including on its inaugural Board.
  Father Westray served our community and country in so many ways, 
including both in the church and in uniform. Before entering seminary, 
he was a Merchant Marine and later served with the Military Vicariate 
as chaplain in the United States Navy Inactive Reserve.
  May Father Westray' s lifetime of compassionate leadership to lift up 
the least of these continue to be a blessing to our community. May it 
be a comfort to Father Westray's family, his mother Jean, sister 
Cecilia, brother Kevin and nephew Vonty, that Archbishop Cordileone, 
the entire St. Vincent de Paul Parish and so many others mourn their 
loss and pray for them during this sad time.

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