[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DELORES FREENY MAYES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile, Alabama, and indeed 
the entire First Congressional District, recently lost a dear friend, a 
talented journalist and a lovely lady, and I rise today to pay tribute 
to her memory.
  Delores Freeny Mayes--or ``Lowey'' as she was known to her many 
friends--was reared in Mobile and graduated from Bishop Toolen High 
School.
  After working for many years at Mobile's Brookley Field, Delores went 
on to write for the Mobile Beacon, where she spent the past 25 years 
providing unique insights to her many faithful readers.
  Dubbed the ``Helen Thomas'' of the south Alabama press corps by my 
predecessor, former Congressman Sonny Callahan, Delores was always fair 
to those she interviewed and covered. Although she was proud of her 
chosen profession, she was first--and foremost--always a lady.
  Over the years, Delores had the opportunity to interview former 
President Ronald Reagan, former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, 
Mississippi Senator Trent Lott, former Congressman Callahan, as well as 
his predecessor, former Congressman Jack Edwards, not to mention a host 
of other local, state and national political figures.
  While she wrote about a wide-array of issues affecting Mobile and 
south Alabama, politics was never far from Delores' mind, and she was 
someone that public officials from all walks of life knew they could 
trust.
  In recent years, Delores turned her love for writing into a 
celebration of her many other talents when she learned to draw and 
paint. I am the proud beneficiary of a number of her original etchings 
and paintings, and at this particular time when we are celebrating her 
life, each one carries a special meaning to me.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing 
this beloved member of the Mobile community.
  Delores Mayes will be deeply missed by her sister, Jeanne Phillips; 
three brothers, Tommy Cain, Hubert Cain, and John Cain; many nieces and 
nephews; as well as countless friends she leaves behind.
  Above all else, Delores was a devoted daughter, sibling, wife and 
mother. Moreover, she epitomized what a ``true friend'' really is.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult 
time.

                          ____________________