HONORING KENNETH "KEN" KELLY

HONORING KENNETH "KEN" KELLY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E232-E233] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING KENNETH ``KEN'' KELLY ______ HON. SAM T. LICCARDO of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Kenneth ``Ken'' Kelly of San Jose, who passed away on August 7, 2025, at age 86. Ken Kelly served as a beloved volunteer and community leader in Silicon Valley. For decades, he devoted his time and talents to helping others. In schools, neighborhood groups, and environmental programs, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Ken was born in Nebraska and raised in San Francisco. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1961. He worked in retail management and later ran his own marketing business, but he left his deepest mark in the garden. In later years, Ken became a Master Composter and led Santa Clara County's Home Composting Education Program. He taught neighbors of all ages how to turn kitchen scraps into rich soil. Through hands-on workshops and the trees and plants he propagated and shared, Ken spread both seedlings and enthusiasm for environmental stewardship. His daily work scratched an itch that Ken had for community service, but not nearly enough. For a duration of a couple of decades, nobody in San Jose volunteered in more [[Page E233]] ways and invested more hours in leading, organizing, convening, helping, and supporting. He served as president of the Blackford Neighborhood Action Coalition and built an extensive network of relationships with other neighborhood leaders throughout the region. As part of that work, Ken co-founded the successful Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative, to help neighbors in underserved communities work together to nudge, encourage, and shame landlords to engage in improving their blighted properties. He served on and led the San Jose Small Business Advisory Task Force, where he advocated for the many immigrant-led small businesses that shape San Jose's unique character. He led United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County, helping other communities to organize, lift their voices, engage in self-help, and make local democracy work. Ken also served as an ambassador for the San Jose, Campbell, and Gilroy Chambers of Commerce, participated in his alma mater's Lowell High School Alumni Association, very actively supported Crime Stoppers and the Salvation Army, and advanced education and literacy through the San Jose Library Commission and the Friends of the Bascom Library. Simply, Ken failed at retirement--colossally. Those who knew Ken remember his quick wit and easy charm. He told a good joke at any gathering--whether speaking to adults in a classroom or entertaining children in a school garden. Strangers quickly became friends. A few minutes with Ken often meant a smile, a new lesson about composting, and a renewed appreciation for community. For all he accomplished, Ken's greatest pride was his family and the marriage at the center of it. In 1999, Ken married Linda LeZotte, a longtime, distinguished public servant and former San Jose City Councilmember and Santa Clara Valley Water District board member. Like so many spouses of elected officials, Ken's support of Linda and her work constituted a very substantial community service of its own. Together, Linda and Ken built a 26-year marriage filled with community engagement, and with travel and fun. Ken was predeceased by his son Joel and is survived by Linda, along with a wide circle of loving family members, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and volunteers who felt like family. Whether planting a garden with schoolchildren, mentoring a new volunteer, or sharing a laugh, Ken strengthened our community. Ken said that neighbors are family. Today, our Silicon Valley family mourns the loss of a family member and honors his life of service. ____________________