[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 27, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       HONORING THE KELLY FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 27, 2024

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the United States 
veterans and siblings of the Kelly family of Rensselaer County, New 
York.
  Mr. James A. Kelly and Mary Elsie MacArthur-Kelly were the parents of 
twelve children, instilling in them a sense of pride and duty to their 
Nation. Seven of their children, sons James, Francis, William, Donald, 
Charles, Robert, and George, each valiantly served in the United States 
military.
  James Kelly was born on June 8, 1921. James enlisted in the U S. Army 
Air Forces on December 28, 1939, and was serving at Naval Station Pearl 
Harbor during the 1941 attack that instigated the U.S.' entry into 
World War II. He worked as a heavy automotive equipment operator. Upon 
his honorable discharge on June 9, 1945, James was awarded the American 
Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Star, the American Service Medal, 
and the Good Conduct Medal. After his military service, James married 
his wife Dorothy Levinoch on September 8, 1948, and together they had 
one daughter, Janice. James was privately employed as a milkman with 
the Dairy League, a bus driver for United Traction, and a tractor 
trailer driver for the St. Regis Paper Co.
  Francis Kelly was born on May 30, 1923. He enlisted with the U.S. 
Navy on December 5, 1940, and was stationed alongside his brother at 
Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Upon returning to civilian life, he worked 
as a frozen food salesman and eventually as the Vice President of Sysco 
Foods in Miami, Florida. He and his wife Nellie Kulpa were married on 
August 26, 1945, and together had two children, Lynn and Roy.
  William Kelly was born on March 18, 1927. He enlisted in the U.S. 
Navy on March 20, 1944, and served in campaigns during both World War 
II and the Korean War. Among the accolades for his honorable service, 
he received the World War II National Defense Medal, American Campaign 
Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, 
Korean Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal with Asia clasp, Armed 
Forces Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Naval Reserve Medal, 
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the United Nations 
Service Medal for Korea. William married his wife Dorothy Huskie on 
July 20, 1947, and together they had three children, Kathy, Leanne, and 
William Scott.
  Donald Kelly was born on August 7, 1929. He enlisted with the U.S. 
Army on August 20, 1946, and served with American occupying forces in 
Japan. Donald was honorably discharged from the Army and reenlisted 
with the U.S. Navy in 1949, where he continued his military service 
until 1969. For his decades of honorable service, he received a Letter 
of Appreciation, Letter of Commendation, and was awarded the National 
Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, World War II 
Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp, and the 
Honorable Service Lapel Button. He and his wife Mary Glass were married 
on April 14, 1956, and together they had five children, Donna, Donald, 
James, Michael, and Jeffrey. He worked with the Continental Can Company 
and later as a public works dispatcher with the City of Troy, New York.
  Charles James Kelly was born on October 27, 1933. He enlisted with 
the U.S. Navy on May 29, 1951, and served aboard the USS Macon CA 132. 
After serving for three years, he was honorably discharged and earned 
the National Defense Service Medal. As a civilian, Charles was employed 
by Behr Manning, Norton Co., and Niagara Mohawk before his retirement 
in 2007. He and his wife Peggy Dwyer were married on September 11, 
1954, and together they had four children, Joyce, Nancy, Mark, and 
Paul.
  Robert ``Bob'' Kelly was born on August 8, 1936. He enlisted with the 
U.S. Air Force in 1953, where he served as an Air Policeman in Korea 
and as a Supervisor of the K9 Section in Vietnam. Bob received the Air 
Force Good Conduct Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force 
Longevity Service Ribbon with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force 
Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster. He and his wife Shirley 
Keesee were married on June 8, 1957, and together they had two 
children, Kimberly and Robert.
  George Francis Kelly was born on September 15, 1937. He enlisted with 
the U.S. Air Force on October 15, 1954, and served for four years until 
his honorable discharge as an Airman, 2nd Class Personnel Specialist on 
August 26, 1958. George remained with the Reserves for another three 
years until February 2, 1961. He and his wife Shirley Nesbitt were 
married on September 20, 1960, and together they had six children, 
Timothy, Jacqueline, Edward, George Jr., Theresa, and Shannon. George 
worked independently as an electrician until he passed away on August 
30, 1992.
  The bravery and integrity of each of the Kelly Siblings serves as a 
shining example of selflessness, camaraderie, and heroism. On behalf of 
New York's 21st Congressional District, I am honored to recognize their 
extraordinary personal sacrifices.

                          ____________________