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[Page H4227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF JOHN D. MILLER
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 remember
John D. Miller of Monticello, Illinois. He was a beloved public servant
and active community member who suddenly passed away last week.
After graduating from Monticello High School in 1971, John served in
the United States Army and later in the National Guard and the Army
Reserves. It was there that he began his career in law enforcement,
serving as a military police officer and an instructor.
His civilian service started with the Decatur Police Department
before he was named Argenta's chief of police. In 1995, he was
appointed to the same role with the Monticello Police Department, where
he went on to serve for 17 years until his retirement in 2012.
Throughout his tenure, he was known for his sense of justice, but
also his sense of compassion. In total, he dedicated 34 years of his
life to law enforcement.
In 2013, he once again answered the call to better his community, and
he was elected as an alderman on the Monticello City Council. In 2017,
he was reelected to a second 4-year term.
John lived his life in humble service to his friends and neighbors.
For so many, he was a role model and a mentor, and he will be truly
missed.
My prayers are with his wife, Karen, his children, and his
grandchildren.
Congratulating Coach Jim Ott
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
congratulate Coach Jim Ott and the men's golf team at Illinois Wesleyan
University on their NCAA Division III national championship win last
month for the 13th straight year.
Illinois Wesleyan University has made it to the national
championship, but this year, they took home the trophy. When asked
about the win, Coach Ott said: ``The nice thing is it was such a team
effort.''
During the 3-day tournament, the Titans had led the scoreboard until
the final nine holes, when the second-place team caught their lead and
tied them.
Thanks to a 12-foot par putt on number 18 by junior Skylar LeVine and
a 15-foot par putt on the final hole by senior Drew Pershing, the team
secured their first-place ranking, earning them the title of national
champions.
Illinois Wesleyan's win also earned Coach Ott the Dave Williams
National Coach of the Year Award, presented by Golf Pride Grips. He has
been the men's golf coach for the Titans since 2000 and led Illinois
Wesleyan to eight wins in 11 tournaments this season. After coaching
the Titans for 19 years, he can finally boast a national championship
win.
Coach Ott has a lot to be proud of. I congratulate him and the entire
Titan golf team.
Remembering the Life of Terry Todt
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember
Terry Todt. Terry was a friend and a beloved community member who
passed away on May 23.
Many of us in central Illinois grew up listening to Terry on the
radio. For the past 41 years, he was the man behind the microphone
announcing some of the most memorable moments in high school sports in
central Illinois.
Terry got his first transistor radio at the age of 7. In 1978, his
dream of becoming a broadcaster came true when he was hired by WSMI in
Litchfield, the radio station he had listened to on that transistor
radio while growing up.
Because of his excellence in sports announcing, he was inducted into
the media division of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall
of Fame, as well as many other distinctions.
But Terry's love for youth sports went far beyond his broadcasts:
For many years, he officiated basketball, baseball, and soccer with
the local sports association;
He was instrumental in expanding the Raymond Park District to add two
athletic fields, including a soccer field that was named in his honor;
Last year, he began the T. Todt Shootout, a basketball benefit that
raises money for the Montgomery County Cancer Association.
Terry left a lasting legacy that will long be remembered.
I remember meeting Terry in 1995, and he is just one of the most
genuine people anyone could have ever met. He was an iconic member of
the Raymond community, and he will be missed by many.
My prayers are with his wife, Brenda, their children, their
grandchildren, and everyone who knew my friend Terry Todt.
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