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House Speech Honoring the Late Bartel J. Jonkman, June 20, 1955
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4525724
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House Speech Honoring the Late Bartel J. Jonkman, June 20, 1955
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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1955
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The original documents are located in Box D14, folder "House Speech Honoring the Late
Bartel J. Jonkman, June 20, 1955" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and
Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D14 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.,
Fifth District - Michigan.
June 20, 1955
Mr. Speaker -
It is my sad duty to report to the members of the
House of Representatives that funer services were held
last Thursday afternoon for the Honorable Bartel J. Johkman
who served in this body from 1940 until 1948. Mr. Jonkman
died on Monday, June 13th, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at
the age of 71.
Barney Jonkman unselfishly and sincerely gave most
of his life to public service. Upon graduation from the
University of Michigan Law School in 1914, he was appointed
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County, Michigan,
in which capacity he served until 1920.
Mr. Jonkman was elected Prosecuting Attorney of his
home county in 1929 and served until 1936. The Honorable
Fred N. Searl, now Circuit Judge in Kent County acted as
Mr. Jonkman's chief assistant. Last Monday Mr. Searl said,
"It was my privilege to serve with Mr. Jonkman during the
five years of his service as Prosecuting Attorney. He con-
ducted that office with courage, integrity and good judgment,
and had the respect and affection of all who served with him."
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
Page 2
In 1940 the voters of the Fifth District selected
Barney Jonkman to represent them in Congress. This was at
a special election called to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Rep. Carl E. Mapes. While in Congress Barney was
an active member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and
traveled extensively in Europe and South America. He went
to Alaska in 1947 to inspect the Alcan Highway project.
At an early date Rep. Jonkman was conscious of the
dangers of communistic influence in our government. As a
one man subcommittee he was active in the investigation of
communists in the State Department. Speaking of these years
of service, Judge Searl said, "As Representative in Congress,
he served this district and the nation well during the
difficult war years. Bartel Jonkman was a fine citizen and
public officer."
Mr. Jonkman was a charter member of the Sherman Street,
Christian Reformed Church where the funeral services were
held on Thursday.
Mr. Speaker, to the widow and to Mr. Jonkman's three
daughters, and to the other members of his devoted family,
we extend our personal sympathy.
Michigan has lost a fine citizen.
Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks, I
include editorials from three Fifth District newspapers on
the passing of Bartel J. Jonkman. They are from the Holland
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Page 3
Sentinel, The Grand Rap ids Herald, and the Grand Rap ids Press.
GERALD R FORD LIBRARY