[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE ``HAPPY'' IRBY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TRAVIS W. CHILDERS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay respect to the life 
of George ``Happy'' Irby. Happy Irby passed away on his birthday, March 
27th, at the age of 94 in his hometown, Columbus, Mississippi. He was a 
man that lit up a room. His perpetual optimism was contagious; his name 
``Happy,'' was not just a nickname, it was a reflection of the way he 
lived his life.
  Happy Irby worked as an activity coordinator at the Columbus Air 
Force Base's Officer's Club for 50 years. It is here he founded the 
Happy Christmas Fund, providing gifts for children in need on Christmas 
morning and giving fruit baskets to the elderly. He will be remembered 
as one of Mississippi's most avid philanthropists, which is why 
Mississippi State Highway 706 was renamed George ``Happy'' Irby 
Parkway.
  Happy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather 
and great-great grandfather. Happy was a proud and faithful member of 
Missionary Union Baptist Church, where he served as an usher.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues for remembering George ``Happy'' 
Irby and his family at this time.

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