[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     TRIBUTE TO SAMUEL ALEX CHERRY

  Mr. HEFLIN. Madam President, the people of Dothan, AL, were terribly 
saddened by the loss of former city commissioner and community leader 
Samuel Alex Cherry, who died on December 31, 1993, following an 
extended illness. Known by his many friends as ``S.A.,'' he was an 
idealist who truly had the pulse of the people, and will long be 
remembered for trying to make Dothan a better place to live.
  S.A. was widely known for his work on behalf of the police and fire 
departments. He was always keenly interested in securing the best 
equipment and personnel for these departments, reflecting his deep 
belief that what a government could do best was protect its people and 
keep them safe and secure.
  S.A. Cherry was a lifelong resident of Dothan. He owned and operated 
Allied Furniture Sales and Cherry Super Foods for more than 20 years. 
He was actively involved in other organizations, including the Dothan-
Houston County Chamber of Commerce, the Dothan Civitan Club, and the 
Dothan-Houston County Association for Retarded Citizens. Even when he 
reached a phase of his life when he could have cut back and spent more 
time on his own personal enjoyment, he continued to serve the city he 
loved so dearly. His influence, dedication, and wise counsel on 
community affairs will be sorely missed by the city leaders.
  I extend my deepest condolences to S.A.'s wife, Annie Lee Cherry, and 
to their entire family in the wake of their loss. I also ask unanimous 
consent that an editorial appearing in the January 2, 1994, edition of 
the Dothan Eagle commenting on S.A.'s life and career of public service 
be printed in the Record immediately following my remarks. It captures 
the essence of what S.A. Cherry was all about.
  There being no objection, the editorial was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                              S.A. Cherry

       Although already retired from public service at the time of 
     his death, public service was redefined because Samuel Alex 
     (S.A.) Cherry chose to serve his community.
       Mr. Cherry died Friday after a lengthy illness at age 71. 
     Funeral services will be today at 2 in Lafayette Street 
     United Methodist Church with burial in Memory Hill Cemetery.
       Mr. Cherry probably was best known for his service to the 
     community as a member of the Dothan City Commission. He 
     served three terms between the year 1978 and 1990. During 
     those three terms, he missed only three commission meetings. 
     Each time he was hospitalized.
       Mr. Cherry's service did not stop there, though. He was a 
     charter member of Lafayette Street United Methodist Church's 
     Men's Bible Class, serving as president, had served as 
     chairman of the Official Board, as a Sunday School teacher 
     and superintendent of Sunday School.
       He was a charter member and former president of the Dothan 
     Civitan Club, an active member of the Dothan-Houston County 
     Association for Retarded Citizens and was a member of the 
     State and National League of Cities as well as a member of 
     the Dothan Planning Commission.
       He was a Chamber of Commerce member, was on the National 
     Peanut Festival's Board of Directors, was a member of the 
     advisory board of Foster Grandparents and was a former member 
     of the RSVP advisory board.
       He formerly operated Cherry's Super Foods for more than 20 
     years, beginning on East Main Street in 1941, and had owned 
     Allied Furniture Sales.
       Mr. Cherry was a lifelong resident of Dothan and was a 1939 
     graduate of Dothan High. He knew Dothan. He knew its needs. 
     When he decided to enter politics in 1978 it was with the aim 
     of improving his community.
       He did that. He played a major part in the growth of this 
     city and in the process earned the respect of his 
     constituents.
       ``He's his own man,'' was the oft-used phrase describing 
     S.A. Cherry. We sincerely believe his every decision while on 
     the commission was geared toward making Dothan a better place 
     to live.
       He cast the mold, then, for commission members who followed 
     him.
       S.A. Cherry--truly a public servant.

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