[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18] [House] [Pages 26679-26680] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]EXPRESSING SADNESS ON THE DEATHS OF THE HONORABLE JOHN H. CHAFEE, WALTER P. KENNEDY AND PAYNE STEWART (Mr. ARMEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad day for a great many people, not the least of whom are our colleagues in the other body for their loss of their colleague, Senator John Chafee, and I would like to take a moment and just express the sympathies of the House of Representatives to our colleagues in the other body and to Senator Chafee's family and his constituents for that loss. Today has become even more grim as we hear of the fatal plane crash that took the life of Payne Stewart, a man who has earned the respect of millions of Americans, and we share with America the grief of that loss. But, Mr. Speaker, it has just come to my attention that we too in our body have suffered a loss yesterday of one of our long-term Congressional employees from the House of Representatives. Many Members here will remember Walter Kennedy, who was the retired Republican Sergeant at Arms. Walter Kennedy spent 44 years working here in [[Page 26680]] the House of Representatives. He worked for Congressman Gordon Canfield of New Jersey. He served under Charles Haleck, Gerald Ford, John Rhodes and Bob Michel. Many of us will remember when we first arrived in town, Walter Kennedy was one of the sage advisers that helped us in many ways along the way, always a friendly voice, always an encouraging word, and always a man who put this body, its traditions, its history and its work above other things. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would just like to express to the family of Walter Kennedy, and even to those of us who served in this body with Walter Kennedy, again, the expression of regret from this body to you for our loss of a fine colleague, a good friend, and a dedicated servant to his country. Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Mr. ARMEY. I yield to the gentleman from California. Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. Having the majority leader rise and recognize the long service to this House of Walter Kennedy is most appreciated. On both sides of the aisle we have people who are working professionals who are willing to give a hand and meet challenges when crises occur, and for years and years around here Walter was one of those people giving advice and counsel, especially to newer Members as we came along. His passing this weekend is a great sadness for his family, I know, but also for all of us who respect him for his work. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Mr. ARMEY. I yield to the gentleman from New York. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to join our majority leader in expressing our sympathy to the family of Walter Kennedy. Walter was someone many of us worked with over the years. We had a great deal of affection for Walter and particularly welcomed his sage advice as we first started out in this body, and from time to time he would offer a helping hand whenever there was a problem out on the battlefield. We will long miss Walter Kennedy. I thank the majority leader for bringing this to our attention this evening. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, for the Record I am including the obituary of Walter Kennedy, as well as details on and directions to his funeral. Retired Republican Sergeant-at-Arms, U.S. House of Representatives Walter P. Kennedy, retired Republican Sergeant-at-Arms, U.S. House of Representatives (1950-1993) and a 43 year resident of Bethesda, MD, died on Sunday, October 24, 1999 in the Coronary Intensive Care Unit of the Washington Hospital Center. He was 78. Born to Thomas Kennedy and Mary Stella McElvogue on February 23, 1921, he was an immigrant with them from Ireland in 1924. He was raised in Paterson, New Jersey. During World War II, he served in the Army from February 1943 to November 1945. In 1943, as his unit was preparing to deploy, he became a naturalized citizen. He saw combat in France, Germany and Austria as a medic in the 63rd Engineer Battalion, 44th Infantry Division. After his discharge from the service, he completed his studies at Seton Hall College, in New Jersey and went on to receive a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He began a 44 year career in the U.S. Congress in 1950 as the chief administrative assistant for the Hon. Gordon Canfield of New Jersey, retiring in 1993 as the Republican Sergeant-at-Arms for the last couple of decades. In his position with Republican Leadership, he served under Charles Haleck, Gerald Ford, John Rhodes and Bob Michel. Mr. Kennedy's 44 years of Congressional service is significant inasmuch as it represents more than 25% of all the years Congress has been in existence. Notably, on the day of his retirement, he was honored by the House of Representatives while it was in session with impromptu speeches by many Members. Subsequent to his retirement, he logged an additional 6 years on Capital Hill with consulting, political fundraising and public relations through The Kennedy Group Companies of Washington, D.C., for which he was the Chairman and CEO. Since the death of his father, he had been the patriarch of a big and very close-knit family. He is survived by his wife, Ana Luisa Bou, to whom he was married for more than 53 years, 7 childen, Walter P. Kennedy, Jr., Ana L. Kennedy, Thomas F. Kennedy, Dennis M. Kennedy, Stella M. Kennedy-Dail, Kevin J. Kennedy and Kathleen P. Kennedy McGovern. 4 daughters-in-law and a son-in-law, 12 grandchildren, all who reside in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He, himself, was the oldest of four children and he is survived by a brother, three sisters, their spouses and children. He was also the brother for two sister-in-laws, Ernestina Bou and Marie Isabel Pelalas. He was active with the Boy Scouts and the Catholic Committee on Scouting for more than 40 years. Since 1956 he was an active member of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Kensington, Maryland, particularly with the Holy Name Society and the Social Concerns Committee. He was an active member and a Knight of the 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus. He was a man of leadership and vision, but also, above all else, a good, honest and kind man. Though never losing focus on the future (which he always maintained as promising), he would consider everyone, yet remain vigilant for the underdog. He was loved deeply by all and he will be greatly missed. Viewing for Mr. Kennedy will be on Tuesday, October 26, 1999 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 27, 1999 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 9705 Summit Avenue, Kensington, MD. Interment will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD following the Mass. Donations and charitable contributions are urged to the American Diabetes Association on behalf of Mr. Kennedy. ____ arrangements and details (directions below) A. There will be viewing from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at Francis J. Collins Funeral home (directions below); B. There will be a Mass at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 1999 at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Kensington, Maryland (directions below); C. Interment will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery following the 12:30 Mass; and, D. A reception will be held at the Knights of Columbus, Rock Creek Council, 5417 West Cedar Lane, in Bethesda, following interment, until 6:00 p.m. directions: Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD 20901-4625 Phone: (301) 593-9500 From the East on the Capitol Beltway/I-495 (in Montgomery County): 1: Take MD-193 WEST/UNIVERSITY BLVD exit towards WHEATON (US-29 N). 0.2 miles 2: Merge onto MD-193 W. 1.1 miles 3: MD-193 W becomes UNIVERSITY BLVD W. 0.1 miles From the West on the Capitol Beltway/I-495 (in Montgomery County): 1: Take the US-29 NORTH/COLESVILLE RD exit, exit number 30A, toward COLUMBIA. 0.1 miles (Note: Those coming from downtown Silver Spring, Take the US-29 NORTH/COLESVILLE RD exit, exit number 30A, towards COLUMBIA. crossing over I-495/ Capitol Beltway) 2: Merge onto COLESVILLE RD. 0.3 miles 3: Turn RIGHT onto MD-193 E. AND GET INTO LEFT U-TURN LANE IMMEDIATELY 4: Make U-Turn at light onto WESTBOUND MD-193 and cross Colesville Rd 0.8 miles 5: MD-193 E becomes UNIVERSITY BLVD W. 0.1 miles directions: Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, 9705 Summit Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895, (301) 942-2333 (Rectory) From the Capitol Beltway/I-495 (in Montgomery County): 1: Take the MD-185/CONNECTICUT AVE exit, exit number 33, toward KENSINGTON/CHEVY CHASE. 2: Go North on CONNECTICUT AVE. 3: At the 2nd traffic light, Turn LEFT onto SAUL RD. 4: At the 1st intersection, Turn LEFT onto SUMMIT AVE. {time} 1900 Mr. Speaker, I see the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) is here. I would ask the gentleman from Rhode Island if he wants to speak on behalf of his loss for his State. Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Mr. ARMEY. I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island. Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I do. Mr. ARMEY. Would the gentleman prefer to have his own time to share with himself and colleagues? Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Yes, sir. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield the floor, and ask the Members of Congress to please give their attention and respect to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy). His words will have meaning in this body, as they will have for the Nation. ____________________