[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 PERSONAL STATEMENT TO JACQUELYN ISABEL SPINELLO ANDREWS AND JOSEPHINE 
                            CAROLYN ANDREWS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 1999

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, there are times in our public careers when 
the obligations of office require us to forego the immediate interests 
and needs of those whom we love most. Because it is my duty to attend 
to our business here in the Capitol, I am unable to attend a special 
Father's Day celebration with my oldest daughter, Jacquelyn Isabel 
Spinello Andrews, at her kindergarten class (Mrs. Esler's class) at the 
Atlantic Avenue School in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Six year olds do 
not readily understand the absence of their fathers at important 
events.
  The pain of separation is further compounded by the fact that a 
voting session last week required me to miss an end of the year 
celebration for my youngest daughter, Josephine Carolyn Andrews, age 4, 
at the Beechwood School's pre-kindergarten class (Mrs. Rutkowski and 
Mrs. Provens). I hope that my children will understand that the 
exercise of duty does not negate the intense love I feel for them and 
pride my wife Camille and I draw from their lives and progress.
  In the instance of Jacquelyn's Father's Day celebration, duty took on 
a special meaning, because we were debating proposals to protect her 
and all children from school violence like the nightmare parents around 
this country have felt too often in the last few years. My absence was 
necessary for me to support a cause in which I believe. But my absence 
should not confuse the fact that my beautiful children--God's greatest 
gift to me ever--are more important than any cause. I hope, Mr. 
Speaker, that my children and the children of all who serve in public 
life will understand that our motivation is to provide our children and 
all children with a loving and supportive community free of violence. 
Although no gift can replace our presence with those we love, I hope 
that our legislative efforts produce the gifts of a community worthy of 
the sweetness and innocence of our children.
  I thank my family for understanding that I must perform these duties 
and I reaffirm my love for Jacquelyn and Josie and their mother, in 
gratitude for the sacrifices they make.

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