H. Res. 401 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 6, 2009. 

Whereas the Congress is greatly saddened by the passing of 

Jack Kemp on Saturday, May 2, 2009; 

Whereas Jack Kemp’s commitment to public service was an 

inspiration to millions of Americans; 

Whereas Jack Kemp had an unwavering belief in the American dream, saying ‘‘There are no limits to our future if 

we don’t put limits on our people’’; 

Whereas prior to his election to Congress, Jack Kemp was a 

champion on the professional football field, leading the 

Buffalo Bills to 2 American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965 and earning Most Valuable Player honors in 1965, and was named as one of the top 50 

quarterbacks of all time by the Sporting News in 2005; 

Whereas Jack Kemp was elected to Congress in 1970 and 

honorably served the people of western New York as a 

Congressman for 18 years, during which time he served 

as Chairman of the House Republican Conference from 

1981 through 1987 and was a member of the Republican 

Study Committee; 

Whereas during his time in Congress, Jack Kemp pioneered 

innovative solutions for the American people, including 

the Kemp-Roth provisions of President Ronald Reagan’s 
2 

•HRES 401 EH 

Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which provided tax 

relief to the American people by reducing marginal income tax rates by 25 percent over 3 years; 

Whereas Jack Kemp served for 4 years as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and was a champion of efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation in 

urban America; 

Whereas Jack Kemp received the nomination of the Republican Party for Vice President in 1996; 

Whereas at the conclusion of his service in the United States 

Government, Jack Kemp never ceased in his efforts to 

make the American dream a reality for everyone, including his efforts to cofound Empower America, a public 

policy and advocacy organization, and the Foundation for 

the Defense of Democracies, a nonpartisan think tank; 

Whereas as Chairman of the National Commission on Economic Growth and Tax Reform, Jack Kemp wisely advocated for reform and simplification of the United States 

tax code that would unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit, increase capital growth, and expand access 

to capital for all people; 

Whereas Jack Kemp believed that ‘‘real leadership is not just 

seeing the realities of what we are temporarily faced with, 

but seeing the possibilities and potential that can be realized by lifting up people’s vision of what they can be’’; 

and 

Whereas while Jack Kemp will be remembered as a honorable 

and cherished public servant, he will more importantly be 

remembered by his wife as a loving husband, by his children as a wonderful father, and by his grandchildren as 

a doting grandparent: Now, therefore, be it 
3 

•HRES 401 EH 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) expresses its appreciation for the profound dedication and public service of Jack Kemp; 

(2) tenders its deep sympathy to his wife, Joanne, 

to his children, Jeffrey, Jennifer, Judith, and James, 

and to the entire family, friends, and former staff of 

Jack Kemp; and 

(3) directs the Clerk of the House to transmit a 

copy of this resolution to the family of Jack Kemp. 

Attest: 

Clerk.