[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE MEMORY OF THOMAS R. ALLEN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
great and respected Chicagoan, Thomas R. Allen, Jr., who recently 
passed away at the age of 85. Thomas Allen Jr. was a man who lived life 
to the fullest, and the friends and family he had are a testament to 
the quality of his character and the type of man he was.
  Thomas R. Allen, Jr. was born on the 12th of February, 1924 on the 
West Side of the city of Chicago. He achieved his success in life 
through hard work and determination. He followed his own father into 
the bricklayers' trade after serving as a marine during World War II.
  After his service, Tom became involved with Local 21 of the 
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. He held the 
position of Midwest apprentice coordinator for the union for 35 years. 
He traveled the region to oversee the training of young people in his 
profession.
  It was Tom's connection to and involvement in his community that his 
friends will remember. He was an active member of St. Eugene's Parish. 
Not only had he served as an usher for 55 years, he also served as a 
youth basketball coach and a member of the Big Brother program. He had 
a smile and kind word for everyone
  Tom's top priority was always his family and the love and support 
they provided him was most important in his life. In 1948 he married 
his high school sweetheart, Irene Feehan, and together the couple 
raised eight children. His family includes their daughter, Barbara 
Wiemhoff and her husband John, their daughter, Nancy Cullerton and her 
husband Tim, and their sons; Thomas III and his wife, Janis, James and 
his wife, Lin, Dan and his wife, Sue, Patrick and his wife, Laura, and 
Terrence and his wife, Jean; 26 grandchildren and four great-
grandchildren. After a long illness, Irene passed away in 1997.
  Madam Speaker, Thomas R. Allen, Jr. (``the real Tom Allen'') was an 
inspiration to all who knew him. I wish to express my deepest 
condolences to his family, and may God bless the Allen family and the 
memory of a man who was truly loved by his family, his friends, and his 
community.

                          ____________________