[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   IN HONOR OF DONALD SHAND WILLIAMS

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 1994

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who 
contributed greatly to his community and who enriched the lives of 
those he touched--Mr. Don Williams.
  Don was called to join the Lord on April 8, 1994, but his life is a 
model worthy of emulation. His story illustrates what one person with 
determination can achieve in this world.
  To the public, he was known as an imminent architect and a staunch 
community activist. To his wife, Eleanor, he was a loving husband; to 
his children, Kent and Karen, he was a devoted father; and to his 
grandchildren, Lindsay, Kyle, Brian and Scott, he was a proud 
grandparent.
  After coming to Clearwater in 1956, Don undertook a career which 
ultimately earned him widespread admiration and respect among his 
peers. In recognition of his professional achievements, Don was awarded 
a Medal of Honor from the Florida Association of Architects and was 
named as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
  As the president of Williams Architects Chartered, he employed his 
architectural skills on many prestigious projects. Don's illustrious 
career included work on Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Clearwater Yacht Club, 
the Pinellas County School Board building, as well as a number of 
banks, schools, offices, parks and churches.
  Mr. Speaker, if we only celebrated the professional career of Don 
Williams, we would be reciting achievements for a long time. But even 
more important about Don Williams is the impact he has had on the lives 
of the people he has touched.
  Don was a generous man, donating substantial amounts of time, effort 
and money to the causes in which he believed. He was deeply committed 
to public service and community involvement.
  Despite his busy career, he served as a Clearwater City Commissioner 
and Vice Mayor for 8 years. He was also actively involved as a leader 
in a number of community organizations, including the Pinellas Suncoast 
Transit Authority, the Rotary Club of Clearwater East, the Richard B. 
Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts and the Pinellas County 
Historical Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to have been able to claim Don 
Williams as one of my constituents, and more importantly, as a friend, 
because he exemplified the highest qualities of dedication, compassion 
and generosity.

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