[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12722-12723]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF JACK CALEGARI DISTINGUISHED LEGIONNAIRE OF THE MISSOURI 
                            AMERICAN LEGION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2002

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Mr. Jack Calegari, an outstanding individual, Veteran, and public 
servant from the State of Missouri. Mr. Calegari is known for his 
gentle manner, warm smile, and his tireless efforts for the betterment 
of our community and region. His dedication and consistent support to 
various veterans programs and issues have proven to be a valued 
resource. It is with great pride that we acknowledge the honor bestowed 
on him as the Distinguished Legionnaire in the Western Region of 
Missouri from the R.C. Connie Burns American Legion Post 71.
  In the tradition of the American Legion, Jack Calegari has 
demonstrated the patriotic and philanthropic values throughout his 
military and civilian careers. On January 28, 1952, Mr. Calegari began 
his service in the United States Army and performed duties as a 
valuable cryptographer. He was later stationed in Stuttgart, Germany 
and quickly made the rank of Corporal. Shortly after his return from 
overseas, he married Tessa and their family soon expanded to include 
their son, Jack. Mr. Calegari worked as a television repairman and 
eventually began employment at Bendix Corporation, which would later 
evolve into Allied Signal and is currently Honeywell's Kansas City 
Plant integral to the Department of Energy's manufacturing system.
  Mr. Jack Calegari has held every office in Post 71, serving as Post 
Commander for four terms and as Fifth District Commander in 1997-1999. 
This noble gentleman and his charming wife, Tessa, have donated much of 
their time at the Kansas City VA Hospital lifting spirits, helping the 
Women's Auxiliary wrapping Christmas gifts, and taking pictures around 
the holidays. As a member of the American Legion's Forty/Eight Club, 
Honor Society of the American Legion, he volunteered to work on their 
fund raising bingo project. The proceeds from bingo have furnished four 
rooms on the 11th floor of the Kansas City VA Medical Center so family 
members have a place to stay with their critically ill veterans. In 
addition, the Forty-Eight recently donated a new van with a wheelchair 
lift to the hospital. At Christmas time you can find Jack volunteering 
as a Christmas Kettle bell ringer for the Post 71 Salvation Army Bell 
Ringers.
  Jack Calegari is active in many local causes and civic endeavors. He 
has been a mentor for our youth through his work in programs such as 
Boys State Program Committee that

[[Page 12723]]

ensures leadership in future generations. He promotes and has worked 
with the District Oratorical Program to provide high school students 
with the opportunity to develop oratory skills while learning and 
understanding our Constitution. Another important youth project he 
participates is the J.R.O.T.C. program at Paseo High School of 
Performing Arts where he is a beloved figure.
  For the past ten years he has served as Chairman of the Cadet Patrol 
Committee for Missouri. The American Legion sponsors Missouri high 
school students to attend the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. 
Yearly preparations required six months of Jack's time to organize, 
market and purchase necessities like uniforms and insurance for the 
cadets. In an effort to provide the cadets with a college opportunity 
he partnered with Central Missouri University to insure the 
availability of two college scholarships. The reward for Jack has been 
the opportunity to work with the cadets and attend graduation 
ceremonies. He believes that students obtain an understanding of law 
enforcement while developing practical lifetime skills.
  Mr. Calegari is quite active as President of the Permanent Memorial 
Day Committee and worked on the KC150 Committee to honor Veterans 
during Kansas City's celebration of its 150th birthday. Most 
significantly, Jack was instrumental in a national project very dear to 
me. We both worked for several years in partnership with community 
stakeholders to restore and rededicate the Liberty Memorial to honor 
our World War I veterans. He has been a wonderful resource to me and 
for my staff.
  Jack's legacy lives in the work he has so graciously performed, and 
in the lives of those he has assisted with kindness and understanding. 
Jack gives his time and energies to make our community a better place 
to live.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting Jack Calegari the Western 
Region's District Legionnaire of 2002 from Missouri's Fifth District.

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