[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 153 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING ALLISON KENNEDY

 Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, earlier this year, we lost a 
treasured consumer, public health and safety advocate. Allison Kennedy 
passed away on May 10, 2023, after suffering a brain aneurysm. She was 
36 years old. A devoted mother, beloved wife, and cherished daughter, 
Allison was full of life and love.
  Allison was born in Visalia, CA in February 1987. Although Allison 
was an only child, she grew up surrounded and supported by her large 
and loving extended family in Washington, anchored by her Nana and 
major role model Nita King. Life for Allison revolved around her 
family. She loved her grandfather Jim beyond words. She especially 
loved the precious time she spent with her father outdoors or working 
on household projects together, even FaceTiming her dad 3,000 miles 
away to help her put a table together. She loved traveling with her 
family, including to the off-road races in Baja, especially with her 
Uncle David.
  She attended Washington State University, graduating in 2010, and 
received her master's degree from American University in Washington, 
DC, in 2014.
  After starting her graduate studies at Washington State University, 
she began a 3-month internship in Washington, DC. Within weeks of 
moving to DC, she fell in love with the city, the politics, and a man 
named Brian. Their love started on their first date as they sat talking 
in her apartment until 3 in the morning. Allison and Brian were engaged 
in December 2014 and married in November 2015. They first lived in 
Northeast Washington, D.C., then moved to Maryland in 2019, and finally 
found their dream home in Burke, VA, in 2022.
  Allison longed to be a mother. Allison and Brian tried for nearly 5 
years. In 2021, they received the gift of Christopher ``Kit'' Colm, 
through adoption, who blessed their home with the fullness of love and 
joy. Allison thrived as a mother. In every way, she knew how to care 
for Kit and help him blossom. In 2022, Brian and Allison found out they 
were pregnant. Callahan ``Cal'' was welcomed into the world in January 
2023. The final months of Allison's life were filled with happiness and 
contentment as she thrived as a mother of two.
  Allison also served as the director of government relations for 
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. She was well known and well 
respected on Capitol Hill as an ardent champion for safe roads, safe 
vehicles and safe road users. During her more than 10 years with 
Advocates, she cultivated a safety legacy that will continue to prevent 
crashes and save lives for years to come.
  Under the leadership of her professional mentors, Cathy Chase and 
Jackie Gillian, Allison grew into a fierce and successful advocate 
whose work led to the adoption of critical safety-minded policies, 
including many of the key safety provisions of the 2021 Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act. For generations to come, Allison's legacy will 
be measured in the countless lives of children, teen drivers, 
pedestrians, and motorists that her work helped to save. She loved and 
was adored by all her colleagues at Advocates.
  Allison's untimely passing is a monumental personal and professional 
loss for the Advocates' team and for all those who work closely with 
the organization. She will be remembered as a dedicated public health 
and safety activist, wonderful colleague, caring friend, cherished 
daughter, devoted wife, and dedicated mother.
  I send my condolences to her husband Brian, their two young sons 
Christopher ``Kit'' and Callahan ``Cal,'' her parents Erin and Michael, 
her entire family, and all her loved ones.

                          ____________________