S358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 20, 2017 their factories, research and workers. Busi- always be grateful for Ken’s contribu- sity of New York at Fredonia. He ness investment has been one of the missing tions. earned his juris doctor degree at night parts of the recovery. Among his many history-making leg- while he worked here in the Senate, ‘‘We’re not quite there yet, but we’ve made acies, Ken joined the march to Selma from Catholic University’s Columbus a considerable amount of progress,’’ says Ashworth. with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, School of Law. Tim loved his family Jr., in 1965. He was the only active most of all, but he also loved the Sen- f Member of Congress to participate. ate, and he loved the Boston Red Sox— REMEMBERING KEN HECHLER After a successful tenure in Congress, I am not sure of the order there; maybe Ken served as ’s Sec- they were tied. He actually acquired Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, today retary of State. He moved his desk out two seats from Fenway Park and put I wish to honor Ken Hechler, a former front so he could interact with visitors them in his basement for when he Presidential adviser, veteran, public passing through. He loved to visit with wanted to watch a game. They were servant, author, Congressman, West all West Virginians. He fought for just part of his extensive collection of Virginia’s 26th Secretary of State, and transparency in our campaign finance Red Sox memorabilia, hats, ties, and educator who left a significant imprint system, was passionate about pro- the like. I don’t think any other fan on my home State of West Virginia. tecting our democratic process, and was as excited and as proud as Tim was Ken was born on September 20, 1914, fought to ensure that West Virginians when the Red Sox won the World Series in Roslyn, NY. Always a staunch advo- had access to cast their ballots. in 2004, ending an 86-year drought. cate for engaging the public in politics, Ken never gave up his commitment Tim started his Senate career fol- he helped organize support for Presi- to public service and continued to be lowing his junior year in college as an dent Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal active on the issues that matter to the intern for then-Senator Don Riegle while attending . public. At the age of 85, he walked 530 from Michigan. He returned to the Sen- He later earned a master’s degree and miles with Granny D to show his un- ate after he graduated to work as a Ph.D. in political science, both from wavering commitment to campaign fi- staff assistant in Senator Riegle’s of- . nance reform, shortly after the fice, where he quickly displayed his Shortly after the en- McCain-Feingold Act passed Congress. talents and work ethic and was pro- tered World War II, Ken was drafted Put simply, Ken was never one to back moted to a job on the Senate Banking into the Army where he trained as an down from a challenge. The man was Committee. Later, he worked on the infantryman and a tank commander. fearless and fought tirelessly for causes special Whitewater Committee. He also Eventually he was assigned as an Army he believed in. worked for former Democratic Leader combat historian and rose to the rank What is most important is that he Tom Daschle, on his personal staff and of colonel. He was one of five people as- lived a full life, surrounded by dear on the Democratic Policy Committee, signed to interview leaders of Nazi Ger- friends and family. It is my hope that before joining the floor staff in 2001. many after the war. Ken’s loved ones are able to find peace, As a member of the floor staff, Tim His experience as a war historian led strength, and support in one another. was intimately involved in every bill, to his joining the Truman administra- This is a time to celebrate his life and every nomination, every accomplish- tion as an adviser on local issues dur- vast accomplishments, as well as the ment of the Senate. Throughout it all, ing his tours across the Nation. He re- countless lives he touched, and to he was always calm, always patient, al- mained on Truman’s administration honor his memory in our thoughts and ways courteous, and always exhibiting throughout the remainder of his tenure prayers. his innate sense of decency and fair- and briefly into the administration of Again, I extend my most sincere con- ness. He was a parliamentary expert Dwight D. Eisenhower. dolences to his loving wife, Carol, and and a trusted adviser. I hope Tim’s wife Alicia, his son Ben, He was the author of ‘‘The Bridge at the entire Hechler family and dear and his other family members know ,’’ which detailed the Army’s friends. I am honored to join the people just how much Tim was loved and re- crossing of the Rhine River during of West Virginia and beyond in recog- spected here in the Senate. Given the World War II. This publication helped nizing his memory, as well as the un- partisan nature of his job, that is, per- make him a household name. wavering love he had for his loved ones haps, the best testament to the type of Ken later joined the American Polit- and our great Nation. His legacy of person Tim was. Our hearts, like ical Science Association, with one of service will live on forever. theirs, are broken. I hope they may his jobs requiring him to find political f science professors for colleges. His leg- find some solace in these words written acy in West Virginia began in 1957 REMEMBERING TIM MITCHELL by the Reverend Henry Scott Holland, when he got a request to teach polit- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I have originally as a sermon, but usually re- ical science at Marshall College, now said many times that the Senate is a printed as a poem: . Following one family, and today we are a family in Death is nothing at all. term at Marshall, he ran for Congress mourning. Tim Mitchell, the assistant It does not count. and won. He served nine terms in the Democratic secretary and a 25-year I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. U.S. House of Representatives from Senate staffer, lost his battle with 1957 to 1977. brain cancer this past Saturday night. Everything remains exactly as it was. He saw West Virginia for the wel- I am I, and you are you, and the old life that It was a battle he waged with uncom- we lived so fondly together is un- coming place it is. Once you have vis- mon courage and grace. We are discon- touched, unchanged. ited our little State, it never really solate that such an outstanding person Whatever we were to each other, that we are leaves you. Most importantly, Ken rec- in the prime of his life has been taken still. ognized quickly the issues that matter from his family and from the Senate. Call me by the old familiar name. in West Virginia—mostly concerning We send our deepest condolences and Speak of me in the easy way which you al- the coal industry and protection of our prayers to his beloved wife Alicia; his ways used. miners. In the wake of the explosion at cherished son Ben; his father, the Rev- Put no difference into your tone. the Consol No. 9 mine in my hometown erend Dr. Philip Mitchell; his sister Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. of Farmington, Ken played a key role Christi; and the rest of his family and Laugh as we always laughed at the little in the promotion of the Coal Mine many, many friends. jokes that we enjoyed together. Health and Safety Act of 1969. I person- While Tim spent part of his forma- Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. ally lost many individuals who I knew tive years in Binghamton, NY, he was Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. well, including my dear Uncle John and born in Boston and also grew up in New Let it be spoken without an effort, without several classmates, in that explosion. Hampshire, so he ultimately pledged the ghost of a shadow upon it. The implementation of the Coal Mine his sports allegiance to Boston and Life means all that it ever meant. Health and Safety Act set the ground- New England. He called himself a P-K— It is the same as it ever was. work for everything we have accom- a preacher’s kid. He earned his under- There is absolute and unbroken continuity. plished for our miners since then. I will graduate degree from the State Univer- What is this death but a negligible accident?

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