[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 165 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E944-E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF ALLISON ELIZABETH KENNEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK E. GREEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2023

  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I rise today in 
honor of the life and legacy of Allison Elizabeth Kennedy, a devoted 
mother, beloved wife, cherished daughter, and follower of Christ.
  Allison is remembered by those who knew her best as a woman with a 
servant's heart; the first to volunteer, the first to help, the first 
to pick up the phone. Throughout her life, Allison graciously shared 
the love and joy obtained through a deep and abiding faith with those 
around her. No one who met her was ever surprised to find that she was 
a woman of faith; she exuded her love for God in all that she did.
  Born in California and raised in Vancouver, Washington, Allison grew 
up around a large

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extended family that instilled the values of selflessness, generosity, 
and integrity in her from a young age. Even as Allison grew older, she 
stayed deeply connected to her roots. Her devotion to family only came 
second to her devotion to God.
  Allison's mind was as strong and capable as her heart. Growing up, 
she consistently excelled in her studies. Her success in cheerleading 
and high school mock trial reflected her competitive spirit and 
relentless commitment to excellence. Allison went on to graduate from 
Washington State University with distinction. Her academic journey did 
not end there. She later earned a master's in public policy from 
American University in Washington D.C. where she developed an 
appreciation for our nation's capital. It was also here that she found 
a worthy mission--serving the public through road safety advocacy.
  Allison proved to be a determined policy advocate who labored to 
improve safety conditions for drivers and pedestrians across our great 
nation. Allison's career began when she was hired at the Advocates for 
Highway and Auto Safety where she ultimately became Director of 
Government Relations, promoting safer transportation policies. Her 
efforts will live on through the policies she fought tirelessly for and 
that made it into landmark pieces of legislation like the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Allison's service will continue 
to impact the lives of children, teen drivers, pedestrians. and 
motorists in America.
  While in Washington D.C., Allison found new meaning and solace in her 
Roman Catholic faith. Allison became known for always being the first 
to volunteer or to welcome new faces into the Church. In particular, 
she enjoyed serving at the Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center, where 
she helped prepare young couples to embark on the blessing of marriage. 
Washington is also where Allison met her devoted husband, Brian. 
Allison and Brian were engaged in December 2014 and married in November 
2015.
  Allison was an unwavering support to Brian and a devoted mother to 
her two sons: Christopher and Callahan. After five years of trying to 
start a family, she and Brian were blessed with the gift of Christopher 
through adoption. In 2022, they were granted another blessing when 
Allison discovered she was pregnant with her second son. Callahan was 
born in January 2023. Throughout the years of waiting to live her dream 
of becoming a mother, Allison found strength and resolve from leaning 
on the Lord's perfect plan and timing. As scripture teaches us in 2 
Peter 3:9, ``The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count 
slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should 
perish, but that all should reach repentance.'' Allison's final days on 
this side of heaven were spent joyfully caring for her two children 
alongside Brian.
  Allison will be greatly missed by her loved ones. It is a privilege 
to recognize her life and to celebrate the blessings God granted her. 
Her memory and impact on her family, community, and country will live 
on for generations to come. She may be gone from this earth, but her 
legacy will live on, especially in the lives of her two beloved sons.

                          ____________________