[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MARTY DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2009

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Marty 
Davis of Taylorville, Illinois who is celebrating his 50th anniversary 
as a member of the McDonald's family.
  Marty Davis began his career in 1959 at age sixteen in one of the 
first McDonald's in the nation located in Des Moines, Iowa. Marty 
worked as a crew member making hamburgers and French fries just like 
any other teenager, but Marty continued his career in McDonald's. He 
worked as a manager in a local store and was eventually promoted to an 
area supervisor for the local operator in Des Moines. In 1977, Marty 
was offered the chance to own his own McDonald's franchise and moved to 
Taylorville. Marty has never looked back and now owns and operates 
McDonald's franchises in Pana, Vandalia, Shelbyville, and Taylorville, 
Illinois.
  As a small business owner in my congressional district, Marty has not 
forgotten his community. His local stores are active in many local 
charitable organizations. His stores traditionally place at the top in 
the Nation during the local annual Ronal McDonald House Charities 
``Give a Little Love'' heart campaign. This placement is a testament to 
Marty's willingness to put money back into our communities to help 
those most in need.
  Marty was recently honored by McDonald's when he was able to throw 
out the first pitch during a game between my beloved St. Louis 
Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, June 1, 2009. As an avid 
Cardinal fan like me, this opportunity in honor of his 50 years in the 
McDonald's family was a wonderful surprise to Marty. While I do not 
blame him for the Cardinals loss that evening, I sure hope that in a 
few weeks, I throw much better pitches to the Democrats than Marty 
delivered that night!
  Marty Davis has served Central Illinois as a small businessman, 
community leader, and my friend, and I wish him a very happy 50th 
anniversary as a member of the McDonald's Family.

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