[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO BILL EASTERLING OF HUNTSVILLE, AL

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                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. CRAMER Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and 
legacy of Mr. Bill Easterling of Huntsville, Alabama. On December 29, 
2000, Bill Easterling, a Huntsville Times columnist and friend of our 
larger community succumbed to his 18-month struggle with cancer. Our 
community mourned the loss of this man respected throughout North 
Alabama for his generosity, talented writing and love of his fellow 
man.
  The blessed life of Bill Easterling was filled to the brim with his 
writing. For 22 years, he shared his talents with the Huntsville Times 
in the capacities of sports writer, editor, and columnist. When he 
began writing the Times community column, his stories opened up new 
people and places and a lot of old ones too for all the community to 
learn from and take pride in. Lee Roop, one of Bill's colleagues, had 
this to say about Bill, ``Bill Easterling had a talent for people, too. 
He was gifted with the ability to touch them. He was comfortable being 
up close where life is shared in all its emotions.'' John Pruett, a 
sports writer for the Times, expressed that Bill ``commanded respect 
without seeking it, inspired loyalty without demanding it and exuded 
self-assurance without making a show of it.'' Mrs. Christine Richard 
eloquently wrote ``Bill Easterling's death leaves a void in the lives 
and hearts of so many people--those who knew him personally and those 
who only knew him through his columns.''
  Bill Easterling's words of wisdom and insight will live on in his 
columns and books. During his prolific career, Bill wrote an award-
winning children's book, Prize in the Show and published two 
collections of his columns, Voices on an Cold Day and A Locust Leaves 
its Shell. I extend my sympathy to Bill's family, his wife Pat, his 
children, Leigh and Mike, step-children, Victor and Natalie and 
grandchildren Caroline and Ellie.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama's 5th Congressional District, I 
join them in celebrating the extraordinary life and honoring the memory 
of a man who filled his 60-years with a love of God, his community, and 
his family. I send my condolences to his family, colleagues and 
friends.

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