[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. DWAIN PRESTON

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor an outstanding 
Illinoisan, Dr. Dwain ``Doc'' Preston, one of our State's finest 
educators, and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement.
  Doc Preston began his teaching career in 1961, after serving in the 
Air Force, at Quincy Junior High School in Quincy, IL. Since then, he 
has taught high school and college students in a variety of fields 
including American history, English, and speech.
  Doc Preston is retiring from his position at Quincy Notre Dame High 
School, QND, where he has educated and inspired his students for more 
than 25 years. He has also taught at the University of Illinois in 
Urbana-Champaign, Western Illinois University in Macomb, and John Wood 
Community College in Quincy. Doc has taught his mother, mother-in-law, 
wife, and all four of his daughters at some point in time. He also 
takes great pride in teaching senior citizens how to tell their life 
stories through writing.
  Doc has served as a mentor and role model to so many students in 
western Illinois, including current and former members of my Senate 
staff. He has emphasized the importance of writing and public speaking 
in all fields and careers and gently encouraged even the quietest 
students to express themselves.
  In addition to his many successes as an educator, including winning 
the prestigious Golden Apple and Rush Memorial Awards, Doc Preston is a 
prolific author and photographer as well as a professional storyteller. 
He possesses a lifetime love of politics and has been active in his 
community. He is a sage political observer and adviser, whether helping 
students on the Quincy Notre Dame Student Council or lending a hand in 
writing announcement speeches for candidates.
  Doc is supported in all his endeavors by his wonderful wife, Regina, 
also a QND faculty member, and their 4 daughters--Carolyn, Cheryl, 
Deborah, and Teresa--and 11 grandchildren. He has shown his devotion to 
his family by writing poems and books to mark the births and birthdays 
of his grandchildren as well as the weddings and birthdays of his 
daughters and wife.
  Mr. President, I congratulate Dr. Dwain Preston on his many 
accomplishments throughout his long and distinguished career. I am sure 
his retirement will give him more time to spend with his family, write, 
and cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals.
  I thank him for his service and wish him all the best.

                          ____________________