This is not an official government website.
© 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions committees such as Committee on Rules, members such as James P. McGovern. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
Issued
September 3, 2026
house side of the record
People
1
Linked members mentioned in this section
Legislation
0
No linked legislation in this section
Committees
1
Committees connected to this section
Senate Holds
0
No hold activity linked here
Source Document
Connected Data
People mentioned
Committees
1 Helpful Term
Extensions of Remarks
Material lawmakers submit for the official record even when it was not spoken live on the floor.
Source Control
Reader mode is for comprehension. The linked government PDF is the official published source.
Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN FRANCIS “JACK” HOUTON
HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John Francis “Jack” Houton—a proud Bostonian, Navy veteran, attorney, longtime public servant, devoted family man, and my friend.
I had the privilege of knowing Jack for many years. We shared Red Sox games, stories about Boston politics, and plenty of conversations about public service. He was part of a generation of Massachusetts public servants who believed deeply in government as a force for good—and who understood that serving others was never about getting credit.
from County Donegal, Ireland. He became the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Boston College before earning a commission as an officer in the United States Navy. He served six years on active duty and later retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.
When his time in uniform ended, his service continued. Jack went on to earn his law degree and build a distinguished career in Massachusetts public life. He served as Special Assistant to Boston Mayor John F. Collins, worked with Boston's arts community, served as Clerk of the Massachusetts House Committee on Rules, and later as an Assistant Attorney General under Robert H. Quinn.
title. Throughout his life, he remained involved in civic affairs, libraries, historic preservation, theater, charitable organizations, and the arts. He was endlessly curious, deeply engaged, and always ready for a conversation about Boston, politics, Ireland, literature, the Red Sox, or the sea.
What I will remember most is the man himself: his warmth, humor, his wisdom, and his friendship. Above all, Jack loved his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ellen; his eight
children; fourteen grandchildren; his sister, Roseleen; and a large extended family.
who spend their lives quietly showing up, serving their communities, and leaving things a little better than they found them.
him. I thank my friend Jack for a life of service, friendship, and purpose.
Fair winds and following seas, my friend.