[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DONALD DILLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 2008

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Don 
Dillman's remarkable life of selfless service. Inspired by his strong 
Christian faith, he subordinated his personal struggle with diabetes to 
his singular focus on the important volunteer work he did to improve 
the community of Hope, Indiana. His admirable courage in the face of 
adversity is something special that deserves honoring today on the 
floor of the people's House.
  Donald W. Dillman was born in Columbus, Indiana on March 8, 1940, to 
Shirley ``Bud'' and Jessie Cecil Anderson Dillman. He was a graduate of 
Hope High School, Class of 1957. On June 24, 1962, he married Rena 
Blake, with whom he shared and celebrated forty-five years of marriage.
  The ``unofficial mayor'' of Hope, Don helped organize countless civic 
projects and community initiatives over the years ranging from new 
playground equipment for the town square to launching the Hope Chamber 
of Commerce. He even stepped in as an anonymous reporter covering Hope 
Town Council meetings for the Hope Star Journal.
  Don worked for decades to improve the community, serving in important 
leadership positions. He served as President of Heritage of Hope for 
over thirty-five years. He was a founder and board member of the 
Hawcreek-Flatrock Endowment Fund, applying his fundraising prowess to 
help it grow to over $225,000. Since the early 1970s, Don led the Hope 
Heritage Days festival, which draws thousands to the town each fall.
  Don was not just bold about fundraising for the community; he was 
also bold about his faith. He served as a deacon at the First Baptist 
Church of Hope for many years. But most of all his faith shone through 
his commitment to the community of Hope, Indiana despite his own 
physical illnesses.
  Sadly, Don has passed away, but he leaves a strong legacy of personal 
faith and selfless service that serve as a powerful example to all who 
knew him. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Rena, their sons 
Jon and Darrell, and two grandchildren James and Jessica.

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