[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING FRED WELCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 2009

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Fred 
Welch, a dedicated and selfless member of the community who passed away 
on March 13, 2009.
  Fred was born in Linden, Tennessee and later attended the University 
of Tennessee. After graduation he attended Auburn University and Iowa 
State University. Fred's areas of specialty were in soil science, 
specifically soil fertility and fertilizers. This area of expertise led 
him to work at the Georgia Experiment Station, the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, and finally the agronomy department at the University of 
Illinois.
  He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, whom he married in 1956 in 
Cherokee, Alabama. They were blessed with three sons, five 
granddaughters, and three grandsons. After retiring from the University 
of Illinois in 1990, Fred and his wife traveled whenever possible and 
founded an active seniors group that meets once a month to discuss 
politics and meet candidates. This organization, the Active Senior 
Republicans, has grown from just the two of them to over one hundred 
citizens of the Champaign area.
  I hope all of you will join me in recognizing Fred Welch for his 
contributions to his community, Champaign County, and the University of 
Illinois.

                          ____________________