[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E232-E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING KENNETH ``KEN'' KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SAM T. LICCARDO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of 
Kenneth ``Ken'' Kelly of San Jose, who passed away on August 7, 2025, 
at age 86. Ken Kelly served as a beloved volunteer and community leader 
in Silicon Valley. For decades, he devoted his time and talents to 
helping others. In schools, neighborhood groups, and environmental 
programs, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
  Ken was born in Nebraska and raised in San Francisco. He graduated 
from UC Berkeley in 1961. He worked in retail management and later ran 
his own marketing business, but he left his deepest mark in the garden. 
In later years, Ken became a Master Composter and led Santa Clara 
County's Home Composting Education Program. He taught neighbors of all 
ages how to turn kitchen scraps into rich soil. Through hands-on 
workshops and the trees and plants he propagated and shared, Ken spread 
both seedlings and enthusiasm for environmental stewardship.
  His daily work scratched an itch that Ken had for community service, 
but not nearly enough. For a duration of a couple of decades, nobody in 
San Jose volunteered in more

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ways and invested more hours in leading, organizing, convening, 
helping, and supporting. He served as president of the Blackford 
Neighborhood Action Coalition and built an extensive network of 
relationships with other neighborhood leaders throughout the region. As 
part of that work, Ken co-founded the successful Responsible Landlord 
Engagement Initiative, to help neighbors in underserved communities 
work together to nudge, encourage, and shame landlords to engage in 
improving their blighted properties. He served on and led the San Jose 
Small Business Advisory Task Force, where he advocated for the many 
immigrant-led small businesses that shape San Jose's unique character. 
He led United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County, helping other 
communities to organize, lift their voices, engage in self-help, and 
make local democracy work. Ken also served as an ambassador for the San 
Jose, Campbell, and Gilroy Chambers of Commerce, participated in his 
alma mater's Lowell High School Alumni Association, very actively 
supported Crime Stoppers and the Salvation Army, and advanced education 
and literacy through the San Jose Library Commission and the Friends of 
the Bascom Library. Simply, Ken failed at retirement--colossally.
  Those who knew Ken remember his quick wit and easy charm. He told a 
good joke at any gathering--whether speaking to adults in a classroom 
or entertaining children in a school garden. Strangers quickly became 
friends. A few minutes with Ken often meant a smile, a new lesson about 
composting, and a renewed appreciation for community.
  For all he accomplished, Ken's greatest pride was his family and the 
marriage at the center of it. In 1999, Ken married Linda LeZotte, a 
longtime, distinguished public servant and former San Jose City 
Councilmember and Santa Clara Valley Water District board member. Like 
so many spouses of elected officials, Ken's support of Linda and her 
work constituted a very substantial community service of its own. 
Together, Linda and Ken built a 26-year marriage filled with community 
engagement, and with travel and fun. Ken was predeceased by his son 
Joel and is survived by Linda, along with a wide circle of loving 
family members, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and 
volunteers who felt like family.
  Whether planting a garden with schoolchildren, mentoring a new 
volunteer, or sharing a laugh, Ken strengthened our community. Ken said 
that neighbors are family. Today, our Silicon Valley family mourns the 
loss of a family member and honors his life of service.

                          ____________________