[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LATE RALPH FORD JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise with a level of sadness 
to pay tribute to a good son, a good husband, a good father, a good 
citizen and one of Chicago's finest of the men and women in blue, 
Police Sargent Ralph Ford Jr.
  It has been my pleasure and that of my wife to know the Ford Family 
for many years. I first knew Ralph's mother, Mrs. Jacqueline Ford, when 
she was a pioneer community activist serving on the board of the Martin 
Luther King Jr. neighborhood health center. She and my wife Vera have 
attended Carey Tercentenary AME Church together forever. I first knew 
Ralph well when he was a young Chicago police officer and I began to 
run for public office; he was a diligent and enthusiastic volunteer who 
was not afraid to be associated with our campaign even though I was 
running as an independent against the existing political machine. The 
fact that Ralph had attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 
added another star to his crown because I had attended the old Arkansas 
A.M. & N College before it attained University status. Being the 
excellent police officer that he was, Ralph made Sargent and 
outdistanced many of his peers. He was jovial, a good talker, had a 
great personality and a wonderful sense of humor.
  Family meant everything to Ralph, he was totally devoted to his wife 
and children, he had a great affinity for other members of the family, 
and of course he and his mother Jackie had an absolute long-standing 
love affair.
  Madam Speaker, Sargent Ralph Ford Jr. was an absolute credit to his 
law enforcement profession, the apple of his wife and family's eyes and 
a joy to humanity. He shall be sorely missed.

                          ____________________