H.R. 2471
Floor Speech
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Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I rise today on a solemn occasion. I rise in memory of George Nettels, Jr., a man who lived a life of service to his community and to our State.
Affectionately referred to as ``the face of Pittsburg''--Pittsburg, KS, that is--George was a loving husband to Josie and a devoted father to Chris, Meg, Kate, and Becky. He was born in Pittsburg, KS--the very southeast corner of our State--where his dedication, hard work, and thirst for adventure was cultivated.
As a young man, George joined the U.S. Army in the closing years of World War II. Upon his return home, he attended the University of Kansas, where he was a letterman on the swim team and graduated with a degree in civil engineering.
George spent most of his career in his beloved hometown, where he became the proud owner of Midwest Minerals, a crushed limestone aggregate and agricultural lime supplier with a strong four-State presence.
In 1966, he served as the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party and the National Limestone Institute, so civic and politics, as well as his devotion to his profession and those it employed. It was the preceding association to what we in Washington, DC, and across the country know as the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
His work at the National Limestone Institute led to his appointment in 1970 as president and CEO of McNally Manufacturing, which started as a small boiler shop and helped transform Pittsburg into a Southeast Kansas industrial powerhouse.
George's leadership included serving as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers and as director of Kansas City Power and Light.
In 1986, the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas honored him with the distinction of Kansan of the Year--a fitting tribute for his life of service to his community, State, and profession.
His deep involvement in civic business and philanthropic endeavors kept him busy in Pittsburg, where he served as president of the chamber of commerce, chairman of the Mt. Carmel Hospital board of trustees, a member of the United Way, and president of USD--Unified School District--250 Board of Education. His devotion to Pittsburg's public schools is one he inherited from his father, who spearheaded a campaign to build an elementary school that ultimately would be named for him.
George Nettels' appetite for adventure led him to 24 countries, skydiving in tandem with his grandson, Jack--he did that at age 84--and taking a 6-day bike tour through the hills of Italy. Whether around the world or at home, he never turned down a new physical challenge, which led him to being named the honorary starter of the Get Busy Livin' 5K Run and Friendship Walk in Pittsburg at 87 years old.
I heard this story from one of my staff, who saw George jogging in 100-degree heat just over 2 years ago. Worrying about his age and the heat, my staffer offered George a ride, to which he replied:
I grew up working in this heat and it doesn't bother me one bit.
George learned from his father that life is a gift and the length is not guaranteed. He took that lesson to heart, making sure that while he was on Earth, he bettered his hometown, made countless memories with his family and friends, and was always ready for an adventure.
Southeast Kansas's dynamic industrial sector, the city of Pittsburg, and our entire State have George Nettels, Jr., to thank for his advocacy, leadership, and commitment to excellence.
Robba and I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends and all those who knew and loved him. Remembering Roger Kemp
Madam President, I rise as the entire Kansas City community mourns the death of Roger Kemp.
Over the years, Roger and I became close friends, and I knew him to be a passionate member of the Kansas City community. Nowhere was this passion and drive more evident than his work following the death of his daughter.
In 2002, Roger and his wife Kathy's daughter Ali was murdered at the age of 19 while she was working at a local pool as a lifeguard.
Living through a parent's worst nightmare, Roger channeled his grief into bringing his daughter's murderer to account for this heinous crime. Roger demanded nothing less than absolute justice for his daughter. He worked tirelessly, including through a billboard advertisement campaign, to find Ali's killer. This campaign not only worked to bring her killer to justice but led law enforcement, both locally and nationally, to adopt a similar strategy that has been credited with helping to apprehend hundreds of other suspected killers.
His work did not stop there. Roger wanted to devote his life and his efforts to making certain that other women, other young girls, were not caught defenseless as Ali was and that no other parent had to experience the torment and loss that he and Kathy endured. So Roger founded The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation and T.A.K.E. Defense programs. An honor student, Ali was, at both Blue Valley North High School and Kansas State University; her life was just getting started. She had just finished her freshman year at K-State, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and a volunteer in her church.
But even though it was tragically cut short, Ali's tragic death touched thousands of people, and The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation continues to positively impact the lives of many and allows her legacy to live on.
``I don't care what it cost to do this program,'' Roger said. ``If we save one life out there, it's worth it.''
That was Roger's mantra, and he lived up to it. Over the nearly 20 years since its founding, The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation and its T.A.K.E. Defense programs have trained more than 70,000 girls and women across the country, ranging from the ages of 12 to 90, no doubt saving more than one life.
Roger was an active member and served on the board of directors of the Ad Hoc Commission Against Crime and on the committee which reviewed and awarded grants to shelters and homes for victims of abuse for three different Kansas attorneys general.
But it wasn't just those of us in Kansas that recognized just how special a person Roger was. In 2011, I had the honor of successfully nominating Roger to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second highest civilian award presented by a President. He was 1 of 13 recipients out of more than 6,000 nominees.
I think a quote from the foundation he created in Ali's honor perfectly captures who he was, and it reads:
Roger's faith in the American justice system; his belief that 99 percent of the world is good, his powerful love for his daughter Ali and sons Tyler and Drew and his deep dedication to his wife Kathy drove him every day, fighting the good fight, to make our world a better place.
Roger Kemp was a loving father and husband, a dedicated member of his community, and a man who created good from the devastating disaster, the murder of his daughter.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy, Tyler, and Drew and all who knew and loved Roger in this time of sorrow. I am honored to have considered him a friend, and it comforts me to know that he has reunited once more with Ali.
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