Memories of Dad

We asked members of Senate and Congress to share their favorite memories of their fathers. Here are their reflections.

Senator Mark Begich "My father died when I was ten-years-old, but I have fond memories of the early years before that. One of my favorites is the cross-country trips we would take in the summer. I remember loading up in the car with my five brothers and sisters, and my parents would take us across the country touring the national parks and monuments. My father loved the history and wanted to share it with us. I can still remember it vividly. A bunch of kids traveling in a station wagon from state to state, yelling and screaming, seeing the wonderful sights."

- Senator Mark Begich

Senator Benjamin L. Cardin "My father was my role model and inspiration, and he was the person I most turned to for advice and counsel. My father, who was a Judge and had been a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, instilled in me a duty and obligation to help people and make a difference in their lives."

- Senator Benjamin L. Cardin

Congressman Eliot Engel "My dad was an ironworker for over 30 years and after I was elected to Congress, the Ironworkers held a luncheon in my honor. My father spoke at the end and told them, ‘I pledge to you that my son’s door will always be open to you, and if it’s not, you come and see me.’ He got up and spoke from the heart which was very special to me. He always had a smile and was constantly courteous. He told me that when you meet people you look them in the eye and have a firm handshake, this is advice I use to this day."

- Congressman Eliot Engel

Congressman Steve King "Dad and I once argued for three days over whether you could convert watts to horsepower. I thought you could, dad said you couldn’t. On the third night I brought a physics book to the dinner table and baited my father by saying, 'I suppose if I showed you the conversion formula in a physics book you’d still disagree with me!' and I triumphantly pointed to the formula: 746 watts = 1 horsepower. Dad said, 'That’s not what he was talking about! Watts is a measure of ELECTRICAL power. Horsepower is a measurement of MECHANICAL power! And you will look foolish to equate the two.' Years later I googled 'watts to horsepower' and the second hit was the equation... the first hit was 'a serious person wouldn’t equate watts to horsepower.' Dad’s been gone nearly 20 years and I’m still losing the argument."

- Congressman Steve King

Senator Mel Martinez "My father passed many things on to me-not the least being my name, Melquiades, which was also the name of my grandfather and my great-grandfather before him. A love of fishing was one of the many traits I shared with my dad. Fishing left me with memories of the best of Cuba and the best of my childhood."

- Senator Mel Martinez