[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   HONORING CONGRESSMAN MIKE McKEVITT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 2, 2000

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to 
honor the life of the Honorable James D. ``Mike'' McKevitt. Congressman 
McKevitt recently passed away after a sudden heart attack at the age of 
71. His devotion to helping others was remarkable and he will be 
greatly missed. As family, friends, and colleagues mourn the loss of 
this remarkable statesman, I would like to pay honor to his service to 
this great nation.
  Congressman McKevitt spent his youth in Spokane, Washington, before 
deciding to attend the University of Idaho. When it came time for young 
Americans to serve their nation in battle, Congressman McKevitt did 
just that, serving admirably and with distinction in the Korean War 
with the United States Air Force. After graduating from the University 
of Denver with a Law Degree, Congressman McKevitt began his 
distinguished political career as Denver District Attorney in 1967. He 
went on to win reelection the following year and served two more years 
before running for Congress. In 1970 he was elected to represent the 
1st Congressional District of Colorado in the United States House of 
Representatives. Although Congressman McKevitt only served one term in 
Congress, his career in public service was far from over.
  In 1973, he became Assistant Attorney General for Legislative 
Affairs, under President Nixon. He soon moved on to becoming Council to 
the Energy Policy Office in the White House. After serving his country 
in these important capacities, he moved on to the private sector where 
he became head of the Washington Office of the National Federation of 
Independent Business, where he worked for over a decade.
  While serving our country in many different ways, Congressman 
McKevitt experienced a number of successes. But his greatest 
accomplishment is one that he held very dear to his heart: the Korean 
War Memorial. Congressman McKevitt is credited with being one of the 
driving forces behind getting the legislation passed in order for the 
memorial to be constructed. His devotion to this project was so evident 
that it soon caught the attention of President Reagan, who acted 
quickly and appointed the Congressman to a position on the Advisory 
Board.
  Congressman McKevitt served his community, State and Country 
admirably. His dedication and devotion to serving his fellow citizens 
was truly remarkable. He was a truly great American and his many 
accomplishments will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the State of Colorado and the US Congress, 
I ask that we now pay tribute to this remarkable human being. He may be 
gone, but his spirit of service and sacrifice will live on for years to 
come.

                          ____________________