Kenneth R. Harding
Encyclopedia
Kenneth R. Harding, served as Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
from October 1, 1972 until February 29, 1980.
. His parents were Victor Hunt Harding and Edith Falk Harding. He graduated from George Washington University Law School in 1937. He married his first wife, Jane Wedderburn Harding, in 1938. The couple were married for 68 years until her death in 2005.
. He went on to become executive director
of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
in 1954, which he held for 18 years.
Harding worked in some capacity on Capitol Hill for over thirty years. Harding served as Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
from October 1, 1972 until February 29, 1980. He moved to Ormond Beach, Florida
, upon his retirement.
at Ormond Beach Memorial Hospital in Florida
on October 3, 2007, at the age of 93. He was survived by his second wife, Ruth Campbell Harding, three sons, and fourteen grandchildren, including actor and television host, Zay Harding
.
Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms is an officer of the House with law enforcement, protocol, and administrative responsibilities. The Sergeant at Arms is elected at the beginning of each Congress by the membership of the chamber...
from October 1, 1972 until February 29, 1980.
Personal life
Harding was born on March 28, 1914, in Medina, New YorkMedina, New York
Medina is a village in the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway in Orleans County, New York, United States. The population was 6,415 at the 2000 census, making it the second most populous municipality in the county after Albion, the county seat. The village was named by its surveyor...
. His parents were Victor Hunt Harding and Edith Falk Harding. He graduated from George Washington University Law School in 1937. He married his first wife, Jane Wedderburn Harding, in 1938. The couple were married for 68 years until her death in 2005.
Career
Harding served in the U.S. Navy for three years and the U.S. Air Force Reserves for ten years. He retired from the Reserves as a full ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. He went on to become executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
in 1954, which he held for 18 years.
Harding worked in some capacity on Capitol Hill for over thirty years. Harding served as Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from October 1, 1972 until February 29, 1980. He moved to Ormond Beach, Florida
Ormond Beach, Florida
Ormond Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 36,301 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 37,929. Ormond Beach is the northern neighbor of Daytona Beach and is home to Tomoka State Park.-History:Ormond Beach was...
, upon his retirement.
Death
Kenneth R. Harding died of pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at Ormond Beach Memorial Hospital in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
on October 3, 2007, at the age of 93. He was survived by his second wife, Ruth Campbell Harding, three sons, and fourteen grandchildren, including actor and television host, Zay Harding
Zay Harding
Zay Harding is a U.S. actor who is best known for his work as one of the hosts of the long-running adventure travel television series Globe Trekker. Harding graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1997.-External links:* *...
.