[Pages H8391-H8392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS H. TRACY, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
friend, Tom Tracy, Jr., an active and beloved community member who 
passed away unexpectedly last month at the age of 47.
  Tom grew up in Ivesdale, Illinois. After graduating from Bement High 
School, he went on to attend Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 
and earned his MBA from Eastern Illinois University.
  He spent over two decades working in the banking industry before 
accepting the role of president and CEO of Farm Credit Illinois in 
2015. In this position, he led an organization of 220 full-time 
employees and a multibillion-dollar loan portfolio for its farm owners.
  Those who worked closely with him described Tom as an extraordinary 
executive with a kind and charitable heart.
  Outside of work, Tom showed he grew up in Bement and learned how to 
actually get involved in his community to make it better. Tom gave 
generously to Parkland College. He gave generously to local charities, 
and he served on the board for Kirby Medical Center's Kirby Foundation 
in Monticello. Tom lived his entire life in humble service to his 
friends, to his neighbors, and to his family.
  He was a kind young man. Tom's life was full of promise. He is truly 
going to be missed.
  Shannon and I are deeply saddened by his passing, and our prayers are 
with all those who knew Tom, all those who worked with Tom, but 
especially

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his wife, Erin, and his children, Alex and Maggie.
  Rest in peace, my friend.

                          ____________________