Jack Kemp, right, at a National Commission on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity hearing at Access Chicago on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. He was accompanied by fellow former HUD secretary Henry Cisneros. (Chicago Tribune photo by Tom Van Dyke.)
by Frank James
Jack Kemp, the former congressman, Housing and Urban Development secretary and vice presidential running mate to 1996 for Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, has cancer -- though details on the type of cancer haven't been made public.
Before Kemp entered politics, he was the star quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.
The Associated Press reports a statement was issued by his office. According to the AP:
The 73-year-old Kemp said he will continue to serve as chairman of his Washington-based Kemp Partners consulting firm and will remain involved in charitable and political work.
After his football career, Kemp represented western New York for nine terms in Congress.
He ran unsuccessfully for president bid in 1988, then later was President George H.W. Bush's housing secretary and ran for vice president as Bob Dole's running mate.
Reacting to news of Kemp's cancer, Dole called Kemp "this larger than life person."
"He's a tough guy, of deep faith, and his multitudes of friends are praying for the best," Dole said today.
Comments
I saw Jack Kemp speak at a United Way event in Chicago in the late 1980's. One of the best speakers I've ever seen. No notes, no TelePrompter without which our politicians today seem unable to utter a single coherent word, just stand up there and let fly.
Posted by: DaveB | January 7, 2009 6:01 PM
Too bad; always seemed like a stand up guy, honest and all; not that I agreed with his policy positions, but that's not the point right now. I guess he was an okay quarterback too, back in the days.
Posted by: Flo | January 7, 2009 7:46 PM
This is really a bad news. Hope he will surpass such trial and should never give up.. We offer our sincere prayers for his recovery.. He is a good person, hence, deserves a longer life. We hope that he'll recover soon.
Posted by: News Review | January 7, 2009 9:06 PM
Good luck, Jack.
Yes, he is a great guy, and one of the best Repubs to come down the line.
He ran a poor campaign, however, when he did run for the Rep. nomination.
Hopefully he will beat this thing and continue to provide worthy political debate.
Posted by: C.Morrisā | January 8, 2009 11:16 AM
Hope for his fast recovery... Great guys shouldn't die at his age.. He still has a lot of things to do.. Our prayers will always include Jack..
Posted by: hgv training | April 27, 2009 7:59 AM