[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2367-E2368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SILAS PURNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of 
the most remarkable and most successful men that this country has 
produced, Mr. Silas Purnell, who is credited with assisting more than 
50,000 students to gain acceptance to colleges and universities. Silas 
Purnell was born on March 10, 1923, graduated from Wendell Phillips 
High School, received a degree from the Sheil Institute, attended 
Roosevelt and Northwestern Universities. Silas went to World War II, 
was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, got married to his wife 
Marilyn in 1946, and they had five children, Rosalind, Silas, 
Rosalinda, Ronald, and Donna.
  Mr. Purnell took a job and worked 13 years for the Coca Cola Bottling 
Company. It was during this period that he began helping students get 
into college. He eventually went to the Ada S. McKinley Community 
Services Agency and established their education division. As director 
of this program Mr. Purnell hit stride and became one of the most 
knowledgeable persons in the country relative to the availability of 
grants, scholarships, special programs and opportunities for 
individuals who wanted to attend college.
  Si Purnell developed such a reputation that people from all over the 
country would consult with him about getting into school.
  By the time Mr. Purnell became ill and retired in the year 2000, it 
was partially documented and estimated on good authority that Silas 
Purnell had helped more than 50,000 individuals gain acceptance and 
receive some form of financial aid for college.
  Mr. Speaker, there has never to my knowledge been a person to do more 
single-handedly to get individuals help with their educational 
pursuits.

       If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer 
     somebody with a word or song, If I can steer somebody right 
     who may be traveling wrong, then my living will not have been 
     in vain.

  I commend Mr. Silas Purnell for his passionate and effective work, 
extend condolences to his family, and urge passage of this resolution.

[[Page E2368]]



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