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[Pages H4387-H4388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 0915
REMEMBERING LEROY JORDAN
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
Leroy Jordan. He was a beloved educator and community leader who passed
away on September 5, 2020.
Leroy was a native of Murphysboro, Illinois, and a graduate of
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Leroy was hired by Iles
Elementary School in Springfield, becoming the first Black male teacher
in the district. He later served on that district's school board,
including two terms as school board president. He also went on to
become the vice president of academic affairs at Sangamon State
University, which is now known as the University of Illinois at
Springfield.
He was a dedicated servant and leader to his community. He advocated
for freedom and justice, perhaps most notably in his involvement in a
1974 desegregation lawsuit that created a busing system that helped
balance the White and Black populations in Springfield's public schools
and encouraged the hiring of more minority teachers.
Leroy was a legend in the city of Springfield, both in and out of the
classroom. He was active in the Springfield Diocese, serving as the
director of Black Catholic Ministries and instrumental with the
Springfield Dominican Anti-Racism Team. He was also a member of Prince
Hall Freemasons and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
For so many, including our mutual good friend Irv Smith, Leroy was a
friend, a role model, and a mentor. He will truly be missed.
My prayers are with his wife, Johnetta; four daughters; and
grandchildren.
Congratulating Dove, Inc.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
congratulate Dove, Inc., on celebrating 50 years of dedicated service
to their community. Formed in July of 1970, Dove has seen considerable
growth in both their organization and the impact they have made on
their community.
Dove is a coalition of religious organizations that has excelled in
their mission to address unmet human needs and social injustices. Their
ministry, shared through a network of volunteers and advocates, aims to
empower individuals to become self-reliant by encouraging clients'
freedom to make responsible decisions and determine their future based
on informed opinions.
For half a century, community leaders at Dove have provided some of
the most vulnerable in their community a place where they are cared for
with dignity and compassion while on their path toward healing and
self-sufficiency.
Dove provides services on important issues, such as domestic
violence, homelessness, emergency financial assistance, and prevention
education programming to K through third grade students. They currently
impact thousands of citizens every year through their various community
service programs.
Again, congratulations to Dove, Inc., on their 50th anniversary. I
wish them and those they serve nothing but the best in the years to
come.
Congratulating Thomas J. Wickham
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss not to
offer heartfelt congratulations to somebody who, over the last 8 years,
has not just been a colleague but has become a friend while standing up
at that same Speaker's rostrum when we were in the majority. The
gentleman is none other than the House Parliamentarian, Tom Wickham.
Tom has helped so many people on our side of the aisle. Now, as the
other side has taken the majority, you have gotten to witness firsthand
what I learned from Tom and the great people who work in the House
Parliamentarian's Office during my 6 years in the majority and being
able to be up in that chair working directly with him.
Tom is somebody who I think everybody got to know very well as
someone who is actually very fair at administering the rules of this
House. But I
[[Page H4388]]
always enjoyed most walking by his office and harassing him if his
favorite baseball team wasn't doing that well or if his favorite
college football team may have lost to one of the others in the Big
Ten.
An institution like the House of Representatives will move on from
all of us who are here now, but this one is a hard one to replace.
I thank Tom Wickham for his service, and I wish the best to Jason
Smith, his successor.
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