[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF MR. EDWARD PREE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD J. DURBIN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 1996

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the good works and 
mourn the passing of Mr. Edward Pree a life-long community activist in 
Springfield, IL. Mr. Pree shared his life of the arts, sports, and his 
nation with many in the Springfield community.
  After completing his law school education and service in the Army 
during World War II, Mr. Pree returned to Springfield to practice law 
with his father. The demands of this successful law practice did not 
keep Edward from serving those who returned from their tour of duty 
disabled. Mr. Pree was honored for his distinguished service by the 
Disabled American Veterans in 1962. He continued his work with veterans 
as a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  Edward's life-long work with the American Legion led to his being 
honored with the American Legion's Americanism Award in 1991. Edward 
was an enthusiastic and devoted patriot. This was witnessed on many 
occasions when he would be called on to address a gathering at a 
Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, or July 4th event.
  Mr. Pree's love of the arts will long be remembered because of the 
endowments and scholarships he established to advance Springfield's 
artistic community. In 1978, Edward began an endowment to benefit the 
Springfield Art Association. He also set up the Georg Art Scholarship, 
the Edward Pree Speech award at Pawnee High School, and the Georg 
Endowment for the preservation of Edwards Place, a local historic site.
  Mr. Pree's work with the Springfield sports community led to his 
being named one of the first inductees to the Springfield Sports Hall 
of Fame. Edward was inducted as a ``Friend of Sports'' because of his 
generosity in team sponsorships and his tenure as president of the 
American National Sports Corporation and as sports director at American 
Legion Post 32.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their 
condolences to Mrs. Margaret Pree and the entire Pree Family.

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