February 14, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 31 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    IN MEMORY OF FRED O. PLACKE III

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 14, 2020

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Fred O. 
Placke Ill. He was a businessman, educator, realtor, public servant and 
humanitarian.
  As a college student at Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas, Mr. 
Placke and a small group of fellow football players distributed donated 
gifts to children at a local foster home. Over the past four decades, 
he expanded that initial charitable endeavor into an annual community 
Christmas event in Goldthwaite, Texas as he and a multitude of 
volunteer ``elves'' delivered moving trucks full of thousands of 
presents for children at the New Horizons Foster Home.
  After graduation, Mr. Placke returned to his hometown of Spring Woods 
where he taught history and coached football. Later in his teaching 
career, he taught U.S. government at Marcus High School in Flower 
Mound, Texas and was voted ``Teacher of the Year'' in 1997. Two years 
later, he was elected to the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees and 
subsequently served for twelve years; six of those years, he led the 
Board as President. Fred Placke was a passionate educator, dedicated 
leader and active community volunteer. He was a beloved husband, father 
and grandfather and will be sorely missed by his family and friends to 
whom I extend my sincere condolences.

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