[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24155]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        EULOGY FOR KENNY SWYGERT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I will be attending the funeral of 
Kenny Swygert, beloved husband of my long-time staff assistant and 
friend, Brenda. I submit to the record the remarks I will be making at 
the service.
  At times such as this we find that words can never adequately provide 
a true expression of the sympathy we feel, and words seem so unlikely 
to provide comfort, but we gathered here this morning to show Brenda 
and her family that we are grieving with you over the loss of your 
beloved Kenny.
  Having known Kenny from the time Brenda met him, and remembering that 
it was in my first Congressional office that they met due to the 
matchmaking efforts of brother Pat, I have always felt partly 
responsible for the success of their marriage, and, Brenda, you two 
found such happiness together that I came to believe that your marriage 
was one of the best things I have ever been a part of.
  Over the years Brenda and Kenny have defined a good marriage for me 
and for all who know them, so we know how difficult this loss will be 
for you, Brenda, and how difficult it will be for you to be without 
your life partner.
  Please know that your many friends, and all of those whose lives you 
and Kenny have touched over the years, are with you in spirit at this 
time of sorrow and that you and your family are in our thoughts and 
prayers.
  I believe that it is often the case that those who work with someone 
on a daily basis have a very good opportunity to know of the quality of 
a marriage. It is on a daily basis that one has, particularly in a 
small Congressional office, to see what the people with whom you work 
are experiencing in their lives away from the office. With Brenda, I 
could tell that she was married to a man who supported her and enabled 
her to devote herself to the demands of a Congressional career as well 
as give of herself to friends and family as generously as she has over 
the years.
  And give of herself Brenda has, so much so that I knew Kenny must be 
a wonderfully supportive husband to tolerate her missing so many 
evenings at home while she was working late with me. I have benefited 
so much over the years from Brenda's professionalism and dedication 
that I haven't thought enough of thanking Kenny for allowing her to be 
as devoted as she is.
  When Brenda was sick a couple of years we were able to see the kind 
of love and support that Kenny provided and how his prayers and his 
strength and determination that she survive was a force that encouraged 
and sustained Brenda in her fight to breathe and restore her health. We 
all worried about the illness that threatened her life and the capacity 
of her doctors and medicine to overcome it, but we had absolutely no 
worry about Brenda's will to live and her fighting spirit and that she 
was not alone because Kenny was there fighting with her.
  Brenda, I hope that you and your family will be comforted at this 
time by the memories of the many good times you shared and by the 
knowledge that you were able to care for and comfort him at the end of 
his life, at his side as he was with you. By being with him as he 
passed you truly fulfilled your wedding vow ``until death do us part.''
  I once heard a Pastor of a younger congregation, who counseled many 
couples before marriage and continue in touch with them through a 
Married Couples club in the church, tell the story of the death of an 
elderly male member of cancer and saw at his bedside at the moment of 
his death his wife beside him holding his hands, mopping his brow, and 
giving him comfort. He said to the young people that evening that he 
knew there were many good ways for a marriage to begin, but there was 
no better way for a marriage to end.
  I know, however, that what is important to you and your family at 
this time is that Kenny has been taken from you. May God give you the 
strength and courage at this time of sorrow to help you bear your 
burden of grief, and may He strengthen your faith in the resurrection 
promised by Jesus to provide hope of reunion in Heaven.

                          ____________________