Illustrious Brother Jack Kemp has been called to the Celestial Lodge above. Brother Kemp was born on July 13, 1935.
Prior to his political career, Kemp played as quarterback for 13 years for both the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, and helped to found the American Football League Players Association. When he retired from the game, he held three all-time AFL career records (3,055 pass attempts, 1,428 completions, and 21,130 yards gained passing).
During his football years, he also served in the US Army Reserve. He served his country well as a member of the US House of Representatives from 1971 to 1989, as a senior economic advisor to President Reagan, and as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 1988, and became the Republican vice-presidential candidate in 1996 with Bob Dole.
Brother Kemp passed away Saturday from cancer at the age of 73. He was a member of Fraternal Lodge No. 625 F&AM, in Hamburg, New York, and a 33° Scottish Rite Mason.
His column is broken and his brethren mourn.
