[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15458]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE KENNETH WILLIAM ``KEN'' HECHLER FOR HIS 100TH 
                                BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, September 20th, a former 
Member of the House from my State of West Virginia, Dr. Ken Hechler, 
will celebrate his 100th birthday.
  First elected to the House in 1958 and re-elected to eight 
consecutive terms, Ken Hechler is now the longest living former Member 
of Congress, and remains a champion for black lung benefits for which 
he successfully fought during his tenure. Subsequent to his service in 
this body, he would continue his dedicated public service to the people 
of West Virginia by being elected Secretary of State for four terms.
  Before serving in the House, Dr. Hechler served as a military 
historian, writing about major European battles, and he retired from 
the U.S. Army as a Major.
  Dr. Hechler then worked as a speech writer in the Truman 
Administration. Entrusted with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, he 
devoted a considerable amount of his career to teaching; that included 
teaching in the Political Science Department at Marshall University in 
Huntington, West Virginia.
  Dr. Hechler has authored nine books, including The Bridge at Remagen, 
West Virginia Memories of President Kennedy, and Working with Truman: A 
Personal Memoir of the White House Years.
  In an era when this Nation seems so divided on the issues of the day, 
Dr. Hechler's perspective on the job of a Member of Congress is 
pertinent for political observers, pundits, students of government, our 
fellow citizens, and, particularly, Members of Congress.
  In speaking about taking unpopular positions, yet being elected time 
and again, Dr. Hechler has said, ``Well, if you do your job on other 
things; to most people that's more important. If you answer your mail 
directly and they believe you're honest in your beliefs, why, this is 
usually accepted even if they disagree with you.''
  Ken Hechler and I have been occasionally at odds, but upon one thing 
we have consistently agreed: Tending to the needs and interests of 
those we have the high honor of representing in the Congress--one call, 
one letter at a time--is our highest obligation.
  Thank you for your many contributions to our Nation, Ken, and Happy 
Birthday on this centennial milestone.

                          ____________________