[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13] [House] [Pages 18766-18767] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO CHARLES I. DENECHAUD, JR. (Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my late father- in-law, Charles I. Denechaud, Jr., whose life ebbed away last Saturday, July 24. He was taken from his loved ones after nearly 3 years of a silent struggle against a stroke that disabled him and in the end robbed his most precious treasure, the ability to speak to his dear wife. His remarkable life in the law and his extraordinary service to his fellow New Orleaneans, his family, and the Catholic Church was summed up in a comprehensive account in the New Orleans Times Picayune of Sunday, July 25, which I submit for the Record. I also include in the Record at this point the eulogy of my wife, Jean K. Oberstar, my own remarks. I want to cite the splendid eulogy offered, though not available in printed version, by Jean's brother-in-law, Tommy Boggs, in warm and touching tribute to a man whose exemplary ife will inspire all of us to so live our lives. Charles I. Denechaud, Jr. Eulogy of Hon. James L. Oberstar, M.C. As we left the restaurant a few years ago, I had a clever idea: ``Us older guys should walk together,'' I said, taking his arm, ``and you can help steady me, I've got a bad hip.'' Charles quickly saw through the ruse: ``It's hell to get old, Jim; the first thing to go are the legs. Take care of your legs. Now, let me take your arm, so I don't stumble on something.'' He closed with that warm twinkle in this eyes, and the gentle, upbeat, pursed smile which is the image I shall forever harbor and always cherish. Like my own father, who lived a river's length and a culture away, Charles Denechaud saw everything, overlooked a great deal, and forgave much. As my father did with in-laws, Charles took me in as one of his own, without reservation, and extended the greatest of all treasures: the inclusiveness of family love. It was not my privilege to know, at its peak, his dazzling legal mind, but I shared, at its best, his unbounded love, especially for the lady he always endearingly called ``my bride.'' The Psalmist wrote: ``I will treat him as my first-born son. I will love him forever, and be kind to him always; my covenant with him will never end.'' Written of David, Psalm 89 appropriately embraces Charles I. Denechaud, Jr. ____ Charles I. Denechaud, Jr. Eulogy of Jean K. Oberstar Almost three years ago, when my father was in the hospital, his doctor came into his room and asked, ``Mr. Denechaud, would you like to pray?'' There was silence for a while and then my father said, ``My life is a prayer.'' And indeed it was. As a child, his likeness was used as a model for one of the cherubs in the Edward Francis Denechaud stained glass window here at Holy Name. Perhaps his life was directed toward goodness from that time forward. After all, how many mortals are used as models for angels? Although I don't really think Charlie Denechaud needs prayers, I ask you to pray for him anyway. I am quite certain that God will scoop up all the left-overs and given them to souls who do need them. One of the measures of Charlie Denechaud is that each of his five children is quite sure that he or she was his favorite child. But whoever that person may have been, he or she takes a dim second place in terms of the love and devotion he had for his bride. Mother, you must be so very proud of him and so very proud to have been his bride. I understand and have great empathy for your sadness. I share it. We all do. But never forget the love and pride you have for him--and he, absolutely, for you. ____ [From the New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 25, 1999] Charles I. Denechaud Jr., Archdiocese Attorney Charles I. Denechaud Jr., a lawyer who represent the Archdiocese of New Orleans and a number of other Catholic institutions in the city, died Saturday at his home. He was 86. Mr. Denechaud, retired senior partner of Denechaud & Denechaud, was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. Mr. Denechaud ``was one of the leading citizens we had in this community,'' said G. Frank Purvis Jr., a friend for more than five decades. ``He was a very find lawyer and a very dedicated lawyer, both to his profession and to his faith,'' said Purvis, the former chairman of Pan-American Life Insurance Co. in New Orleans. The Denechaud family has represented the archdiocese since 1901, beginning with Mr. Denechaud's father, Charles Sr. The firm also has represented Loyola and Xavier universities, the Daughters of Charity, Hotel Dieu hospital and Jesuit High School. Mr. Denechaud represented WWL television since the station's inception, and played a crucial role in Loyola University's acquisition of the station, his son, Charles III, said. Mr. Denechaud attended Our Lady of Lourdes school, Jesuit High School and Loyola University and received an honorary L.L.D. degree from Xavier University in 1954. He was a former member of the President's Council of Loyola University, New Orleans Hospital Council, National Association of College and University Attorneys, United Negro College Fund, American Hospital Association, New Orleans Hospital Council, Louisiana Hospital Association and Catholic Hospital Association. He was former member of the board of advisors of WWL and First National Bank of Commerce in New Orleans and the board of directors of Chinchuba Deaf Mute Institute, New Orleans Public Library, Metropolitan Area Committee, National American Bank, Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, and National Diocesan Attorneys Association. He was former chairman of Hotel Dieu Board of Advisors, St. Vincent Infant Asylum Board of Advisors and Our Lady of Holy Cross College Board of Lay Trustees. He was past president and director of Blue Cross of Louisiana and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, past president of the Audubon Park Commission and past director of the Marquette Association for Higher Education, St. Mary's Catholic Orphan Boys Asylum, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and National Conference of Christians and Jews. Mr. Denechaud was a member of the New Orleans Bar Association and served as its vice president from 1944 to 1945. He was also a member of the Louisiana, American and Federal Communications Bar Associations. He was a member of Holy Name Society, St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association, Alumni Chapter of Beggars Fraternity, [[Page 18767]] President's Associates of Loyola University, New Orleans Country Club, Startford Club and Pickwick Club. He was named Layman of the Year by the Louisiana Hospital Association in 1969 and Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by Jesuit High School in 1978 and received affiliation to the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1981. In 1947, Pope Pius XII named Mr. Denechaud a Knight of St. Gregory, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church. He became a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 1958. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Byrne; two sons, Charles III and Edward B. Denechaud; three daughters, Barbara Denechaud Boggs of Washington, D.C., Jean Kurth Oberstar of Washington, D.C. and Deborah Denechaud Slimp of Atlanta; two sisters, Kathleen D. Charbonnet and Margaret D. Ramsey; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A Mass will be said Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 6363 St. Charles Ave. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Metairie Cemetery. Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. ____________________