[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLES TIDWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to Mr. Charles Tidwell who died a few days ago after having 
spent a lifetime of being a good husband, a good father, a good 
neighbor, a good citizen and a good friend.
  Mr. Tidwell was what we would call an ordinary man, ordinary in that 
he owned his own business, an ordinary business, he was a self-employed 
plumber, who for many years worked every day. He was a welcomed sight; 
people often looked forward to him coming because he generally 
represented relief, a man who knew how to do what he could and do it 
well.
  Mr. Tidwell was ordinary but he was also unordinary, unordinary 
because he and his wife were intimately connected to their community, 
actively involved in their church, actively involved in the civic 
affairs of their community and actively involved in politics or public 
policy decision-making. The Tidwell home was oftentimes the place where 
block club meetings were held, political candidates came and problem 
solving discussions were held and of course, Mrs. Tidwell generally 
found a way to have some fried chicken, cake, potato salad, potato pie 
or whatever she decided to cook. In reality the Tidwells represent the 
best among us and we're going to miss Mr. Tidwell, a good son, a good 
husband, a good father, a good neighbor, a good citizen, a good 
American. May his soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________