[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE PASSING OF CHARLOTTE THOMPSON REID

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2007

  Mr. HASTERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a 
former member of this House and one of my predecessors, Charlotte 
Thompson Reid, who passed away on January 25, 2007. For those of us 
from the Fox Valley who have since gone on to a life of public service, 
Charlotte Thompson Reid is an inspiration to us all and an example of 
how to serve the people you have been trusted to represent with the 
utmost integrity.
  Known as the ``Grand Lady of Aurora, Illinois,'' and ``Charley'' to 
her friends, Charlotte accomplished great things for her hometown of 
Aurora and the surrounding area. Her sparkling personality and just 
plain Midwest-friendliness is renown throughout all of Chicago land.
  As I have said before on the floor of this House, her service in 
Congress overlapped with the beginning of my teaching career in 
Yorkville, Illinois and her outstanding record helped inspire me to 
seek public office in the late 1970s. In fact, Charley's endorsement 
and work on my behalf helped me get elected in 1986 during my first and 
toughest race.
  After raising her family of four, she worked side by side with her 
husband Frank as he ran for the House of Representatives in 1962. When 
Frank suddenly died, she was elected in his stead. She won re-election 
in four terms bringing her solid Midwestern values to this House. 
Charlotte went on to be appointed to the F.C.C. where she served with 
distinction until the mid-70s and was later appointed by President 
Reagan to serve on the Presidential Task Force on International Private 
Enterprise from 1985-1987.
  To be sure, Charley's surviving children (Patricia, Susan, and 
Frank), eight grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren, should 
be proud of the legacy she has left behind and carry her spirit for 
life with them in their journeys.
  Madam Speaker, we are all indebted to Charlotte Thompson Reid for her 
energy, her gentle manner and what she meant for this country. I offer 
her family my sincere condolences during this difficult time and wish 
them the very best in the future.

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