As we come across them, we will post tributes to the legacy and life of Jack F. Kemp. This one comes from Mrs. Mildred Hailey, the founder of the nationwide movement of residents to manage and own their own public housing and Mrs. Cynthia Wiggins who succeeded Kimi Gray as head of their nationwide organization founded during Jack Kemp’s tenure as Secretary at HUD.
“To Secretary Kemp’s Wife Joanne, Children and Family, on behalf of the leadership and families in public housing, affordable housing and section eight we send our sincere condolences.
In the book of Philippines 2:3 it states; do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
It is this passage of scripture that define the Man that we grew to appreciate and respect. Jack Kemp was a man above men.
Secretary Kemp understood his purpose in life, he understood his calling, he understood servant hood, but most importantly he understood what it meant to serve the poor. Secretary Kemp was our friend.
We want to thank his family for allowing him to be our voice. For it was Secretary Kemp who stood on the floor of Congress and among the Republican Party and introduced legislation that created opportunity that transformed our communities resulting in the saving of lives.
We are eternally grateful to God to have had the privilege of knowing and fellowshipping with him but most importantly to be able to call him friend.
While like so many we forget to tell the persons in our lives who make the difference not just for his/her family but for others how much we appreciate them and respect them today we tell the world that the Honorable Secretary Jack Kemp was our “Friend.” Thank you Mr. Secretary, we appreciated you and yes we will miss you.”
Cynthia Wiggins, President, National Association of Resident Management Corp
Mildred Hailey, Vice President, Boston, Massachusetts
