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A TRIBUTE TO MIKE WHALLEY
LEGISLATURE-LEADER-LISTENER-FRIEND
Mike Whalley (1953-2008) Concord State Capitol - Flags at Half-Mast 3/6/08
A generosity toward adversaries is rare in politics. We know from our own observations how energetic,
inflammatory and inconsiderate political argument can be. Debate, the gathering and counting of votes and the
deal making that momentarily brings factions together usually obscures principle and the reasons why voting
coalitions rapidly form and then quickly dissolve. The individuals who make up those voting coalitions
frequently find friends on the opposite side of critical votes. Votes weigh policy and move government.
Moving government empowers some and hurts others. Empowerment and disenfranchisement often causes
longstanding political associations to be come unraveled. Even longstanding personal friendships suffer over
insignificant matters having to do with tactics and policy. Such disagreements sometimes cause individual
relationships to become sour and remain adversarial even unto death.
Mike Whalley, Republican Leader in New Hampshire’s House of Representatives, who died last Saturday,
was a rarity in the legislative arena. He was a quiet, reserved and calm man, successful in business, who was
able to keep personality separate from the adversarial environment where he served with 399 other volunteers
in public service. His overarching interest as a political leader was to see that government in New Hampshire
worked and that it evolved without sacrificing the fundamental rights of individuals to be able to act
independently in the interest of themselves, their families, and their neighbors.
Where ideologues and heliotropes worked the press, Mike Whalley worked unassumingly and without fanfare
to move New Hampshire forward. He sought neither notice nor acclaim for his many quiet accomplishments.
Adversaries grudgingly accepted that he could not be driven off the high road and dragged into hot,
unharmonious debate. He believed that others could always be persuaded to see reason and to take the
sensible course. He provided House Republicans considerate leadership worth emulating and he provided his
adversaries an example of how to conduct respectful discourse. His family and friends will feel deep pain and
sorrow.
His constituents, his party and the people of New Hampshire will greatly suffer his loss.
Hon. Paul Mirski
Welcome to the Merrimack Republican Town Committee Website. This is an exciting and important political season! Visit our site frequently for the latest town, county, and state news. We hope to keep our Republicans informed and involved! * * * * * * * |
For Immediate Release Juanita Dangel 429-4302
July 18, 2008 merrimackgop@yahoo.com
Senator Joe Kenney to Speak
at Merrimack Republican Town Committee Meeting
(Merrimack, NH) -The Merrimack Republican Town Committee will hold their August Dinner/Speaker Meeting on Monday,
August 4th, 6:30pm, at the Silver Maple Restaurant, DW Highway, in Merrimack. Our guest speaker will be Senator Joe
Kenney, Candidate for Governor. All registered Republicans are invited to attend. For information, please contact Juanita
Dangel at 429-4302.
Background and Military Career:
Sen. Joseph D. Kenney, a Republican from Wakefield, is in his fourteenth year in the legislature. He beat well-known
Conway radio talk host and long-time Democratic activist George Cleveland, the Grandson of President Grover Cleveland to
win his third term in the Senate this past fall. While a lieutenant colonel in the Marine reserves, active duty, the senator was
called up to serve in Iraq during his term last year. He was known to perform constituent service work from his laptop while
in Iraq. The senator worked his way up from the rank of private to lieutenant colonel, has been a member of the U.S. Marine
Corps since 1980, and today serves as a special projects officer. During his career, Joe has also been a public assistance
officer, a teacher, and a summer youth director.
Awards & Honors:
New Hampshire Medical Society Senator of the Year Award, 2006
NH Association of Counties Senator of the Year Award, 2006
Bills Sponsored:
Organ Donor
Nurses Compact Act
Bill for Midwives’ Insurance Coverage
Bingo Bill, which would lower the age of Senior Bingo and increase the stakes
Purple Heart Trail (prime sponsor and mover)
Strong advocate for oral health in New Hampshire
Public Service:
Joe Kenney grew up in a small business family. He was first elected to the New Hampshire Senate in November 2002.
Previously, he served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives for four terms. Kenney formerly served
as vice-chair of the Carroll County delegation. Previous leadership positions held include:
Chairman of Transportation, 2002-2004
Chairman of Executive, Department and Administration Committee, 2004-2006
Health and Human Services Committee (six years)
Kenney currently serves on the Executive Departments and Administration Committee, and the Health and Human Services
Committee.
The senator resides in Wakefield and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a bachelor's degree
He is married with two children and a 42-year resident of Wakefield.
-30-
July 18, 2008 merrimackgop@yahoo.com
Senator Joe Kenney to Speak
at Merrimack Republican Town Committee Meeting
(Merrimack, NH) -The Merrimack Republican Town Committee will hold their August Dinner/Speaker Meeting on Monday,
August 4th, 6:30pm, at the Silver Maple Restaurant, DW Highway, in Merrimack. Our guest speaker will be Senator Joe
Kenney, Candidate for Governor. All registered Republicans are invited to attend. For information, please contact Juanita
Dangel at 429-4302.
Background and Military Career:
Sen. Joseph D. Kenney, a Republican from Wakefield, is in his fourteenth year in the legislature. He beat well-known
Conway radio talk host and long-time Democratic activist George Cleveland, the Grandson of President Grover Cleveland to
win his third term in the Senate this past fall. While a lieutenant colonel in the Marine reserves, active duty, the senator was
called up to serve in Iraq during his term last year. He was known to perform constituent service work from his laptop while
in Iraq. The senator worked his way up from the rank of private to lieutenant colonel, has been a member of the U.S. Marine
Corps since 1980, and today serves as a special projects officer. During his career, Joe has also been a public assistance
officer, a teacher, and a summer youth director.
Awards & Honors:
New Hampshire Medical Society Senator of the Year Award, 2006
NH Association of Counties Senator of the Year Award, 2006
Bills Sponsored:
Organ Donor
Nurses Compact Act
Bill for Midwives’ Insurance Coverage
Bingo Bill, which would lower the age of Senior Bingo and increase the stakes
Purple Heart Trail (prime sponsor and mover)
Strong advocate for oral health in New Hampshire
Public Service:
Joe Kenney grew up in a small business family. He was first elected to the New Hampshire Senate in November 2002.
Previously, he served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives for four terms. Kenney formerly served
as vice-chair of the Carroll County delegation. Previous leadership positions held include:
Chairman of Transportation, 2002-2004
Chairman of Executive, Department and Administration Committee, 2004-2006
Health and Human Services Committee (six years)
Kenney currently serves on the Executive Departments and Administration Committee, and the Health and Human Services
Committee.
The senator resides in Wakefield and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a bachelor's degree
He is married with two children and a 42-year resident of Wakefield.
-30-
