[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 83 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               HONORING THE MEMORY OF MAYOR C.W. SKIDMORE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Saraland and all of southwest 
Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor C.W. 
Skidmore and pay tribute to his memory.
  Mayor Skidmore, known to his many friends as ``Bill,'' was a native 
of Russellville and long-time resident of Saraland. He served as a city 
councilman from 1957, when Saraland was incorporated, until 1960. In 
1964, he was elected mayor and served two terms.
  Bill set out to be the mayor of Saraland with the intention of 
changing the reputation the city had received after the murder of its 
first mayor. During his time serving as mayor, Bill also focused on 
commercial and residential growth, as well as the development of city 
services.
  When Saraland celebrated its 50th anniversary, Mayor Skidmore was 
honored. The city also named a football park on Norton Avenue in his 
honor. In addition to a lifetime of public service, Mayor Skidmore 
owned and operated Skidmore Oil Company and Skidmore Construction. He 
also served on the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
beloved friend to many throughout southwest Alabama. Mayor Skidmore 
will be dearly missed by his family--his wife, Took; his children, 
Billy and his wife Sheila, Mary and her husband Bruce, and Tammie and 
her husband Rick; his 13 grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren--as 
well as the countless friends he leaves behind.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult 
time.

                          ____________________