[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO DON KINGSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID D. PHELPS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 1999

  Mr. PHELPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Don Kingston, 
who is retiring this year from Eldorado High School in Eldorado, 
Illinois. Donald J. Kingston was born on October 28, 1931, one of eight 
childen. His father passed away when he was just four years old leaving 
his mother with eight children during the Depression. Don felt strongly 
that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal Programs were 
instrumental in pulling his family through the hard times. He also 
believes that the sports programs in his local high school were the 
only reason he completed high school, a very revealing fact when you 
look at how dedicated he has been to EHS sports over the last forty 
years.
  Back in the fall of 1956, while in his last year of law school, EHS 
head football coach-Coach Adams, asked Don to be assistant coach for 
the EHS football team. Instead of going on to practice law, Don 
accepted the assistant coaching job. A year later when Coach Adams 
retired, Don became the head coach of the football team. Don Kingston 
has given the last forty-two years of his life to being both an 
outstanding educator and coach at Eldorado High School. Mr. Kingston 
has taught many subjects at Eldorado High School, including physical 
education, driver's education, English and geography. Mr. Kingston has 
also coached the football, basketball and track teams. The best teams 
he has ever coached, according to Don, were the 1968 Eagles Football 
Team and the 1976 Eagles Basketball Team, of which his son Kevin was a 
member.
  Mr. Speaker, what is most special about my opportunity now to 
congratulate Don and his wife Wanda, is the fact that I have known them 
all of my life and truly appreciate their commitment to public service. 
They raised two wonderful children; Kevin and Valerie, who have served 
as role models to the community, and I know that if Kevin were still 
with us today he would be proud to see his father reach this stage in 
his life. Don has been my teacher, my fellow elected official, my 
supporter, professional colleague, but most importantly, my friend! 
Don, we wish you God's speed and congratulations on a fabulous career 
in shaping the lives of our young people.

                          ____________________