Jack Kemp: Leader Mentor Friend
A tribute to a most extraordinary man.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting and knowing some dynamic, high achieving people in my 28 years of public service. Presidents, Kings, Generals, foreign leaders--men and women all of whom were leaders who made an major impact on society. Few, however, have made such an impression or had greater impact on me than my recently deceased friend, Jack Kemp.
As a leader, Jack had few peers. Some men seem to inherit the qualities of a leader, others earn it through overcoming tough challenges, hard work and sheer perseverance. Jack Kemp, born into a working class family, was raised to believe that any child, regardless of circumstances, could overcome the odds and realize their dreams. Considered too small and lacking the necessary skills to succeed in football, Jack quarterbacked the Buffalo Bills to 2 AFL championships, earning MVP honors. Considered “just a jock” who couldn’t succeed in politics, Jack became one of the most effective members in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Cabinet Secretary, and Bob Dole’s Vice Presidential choice.
As a newly arrived member of Congress in 1981, I quickly realized that Jack Kemp was a key player in the revival of the Republican party and the success of Ronald Reagan. Ideas, which flowed from Jack like water from a fountain, “are the key to our future as a party and as a nation, because ideas can transcend raw politics and transform lives.” His intellect, his force of persuasion, his eternal optimism and his perseverance all combined to lead our party, and influence our national policy.
I could go on for pages describing Jack’s accomplishments, but it’s jack Kemp the mentor, the friend, the devoted father of 4 and grandfather of 17 that I will remember most. No personal request was too great for Jack to honor, no question too simple for Jack to dismiss, or too complex for Jack to undertake. He embraced his friends, with love and respect, yet also with challenge; challenge to do more, do it better, be more engaged, more passionate in becoming all that God intended us to be.
In the final months of his life, with Jack knowing that his diagnosis was terminal, it was my privilege to be with Jack and reflect on his life, his friends, his love of family, and his love of God. He will be dearly missed, but his words and encouragement and friendship will be with me for the rest of my days on earth. All of us who knew Jack, and were touched by him, are deeply grateful for the wonderful experience of being embraced by Jack.
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