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Archive-Name: gov/us/fed/congress/record/1999/sep/21/1999CRE1910A
[Congressional Record: September 21, 1999 (Extensions)] [Page E1910]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:cr21se99-36]
IN HONOR OF THE LATE BOB McMENEMY
______
HON. PETER DEUTSCH
of Florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 21, 1999
Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Robert J.
McMenemy, who passed away last week at the age of 59 in Plantation, FL. I
am saddened by this tragic loss: South Florida has lost a truly great community
leader.
For the past 35 years, Bob McMenemy was a strong presence at labor
meetings, political club events, and civic activities throughout Broward County,
FL. He was a fixture at Democratic campaign rallies, candidate fundraisers, and
political dinners, known among politicians and elected officials as someone who
could quickly motivate others to participate in the political process. Demonstrating
his large influence on South Florida politics, Bob was the labor committee chairman
and a vice chairman of the county Democratic Party, as well as former vice president
and president of the Plantation Democratic Club.
Though very active in politics, Bob was perhaps best known for his leadership
in South Florida's union. He was a passionate advocate for better pay for workers
on public projects, and significantly
strengthened the labor movement in Broward County. He was a leader of the International
Union of Operating Engineers Local 675, representing the workers who drove construction
cranes and other heavy equipment. Bob also served as the political action chairman
and legislative director before becoming the union's president. In honor of his
extraordinary dedication and work, the Broward AFL-CIO presented Bob with the ``Labor
Leader of the Year'' award. This award was truly deserved, representing all that
Bob stood for.
It is important to note that Bob McMenemy did not simply focus all
of his attention on political and labor issues. Throughout the course of his life,
Bob was especially devoted to social issues as well. He was specifically known for
his involvement in assisting people who suffered from drug and alcohol addictions.
Bob served as the director of the Broward AFL-CIO's member assistance program, chairman
of the Broward Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board, and a board member of the
House of Hope and Stepping Stones treatment programs. He strongly believed that
people with drug and alcohol problems deserved a chance to recover, and he worked
tirelessly to assist them in this important fight.
On a more personal level, Bob McMenemy, with his deep Irish roots,
invested his time in the Emerald Society, a group that promotes Irish heritage.
He was, in fact, honored by the society at one of the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfasts
in Fort Lauderdale. Most importantly, however, Bob McMenemy was a devoted
husband, father, and son, who is survived by his wife, his two daughters, and his
mother. No matter what calling one obeys in life, I can think of nothing more important
than one's relationship with their family.
Mr. Speaker, while Bob McMenemy's passing is a tremendous loss for
the South Florida community, I can say without hesitation that his memory lives
on through the work of the many organizations to which he dedicated his life. We
will dearly miss Bob, but for the thousands of lives he touched, we thank and praise
him for his hard work, his leadership, and his compassion for others.
Robert Emmett wrote for That Was
the Week That Was
{born: Robert McMenamin}
expired 4-8-2000 in New York, New York age 78
cause: following surgery for acute appendicitis
Thomas J. "Thom" McMenemy, 54, President of AP
Military Group, Inc., the Defense Commissary Agency's (DeCA) largest
multi-line perishables contractor which handles many products including
Fresh Express bagged salads, died on Friday, Jan. 6, 2006 in Hudson, Fla.
Born in Queens, N.Y. in April 1951, the C.W. Post
College, Brookville, NY, graduate started AP Military in 1998. Prior to
this position, he was a vice president of Reese Inc.'s military division
from 1995 to 1998.
He is survived by his wife, Angela, two daughters,
two brothers, a sister, and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were
handled by Prevatt Funeral Home in Hudson.
Links to further obituaries:
1998-9-28 Bertha A. McMenemy
2000-5-23 Emma McMenemy Vigrass
(go to bottom of displayed page, Emma's is the last obituary posted).
2004-8-04 Margo (McMenemy)
McLennan (ice star, a gifted and versatile actor, she became the
first woman in the world to celebrate gay marriages).
Other obituaries:
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