Nancy L. Johnson: “Jim Kennelly was probably as brilliant a legislative mind as any State has enjoyed. But not only was he a fine…”

“Jim Kennelly was probably as brilliant a legislative mind as any State has enjoyed. But not only was he a fine legislator, he was an extremely able politician in the best sense of that word. He really did listen to the concerns of people from different parts of the State with different difficulties, different problems, and, kind of in the tradition of Tip O'Neill, he led in the best sense of that word. The gift that the gave to Connecticut during his years of political involvement, though naturally we did not all agree, was a gift that every single citizen enjoyed with or without their direct knowledge. I would like to comment on my heartfelt sympathy for Barbara, his extremely able wife and our colleague, for she has served Jim and her family, this Congress and her constituency and our Nation with extraordinary ability. They were a close couple, a strong family, the best kind of model both of public servants and capable leaders that America is capable of producing. I join you in paying tribute to Jim Kennelly, an outstanding political leader and a special person in the hearts of every Member of the Connecticut constituency.”