[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H910-H911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES HADLEY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a dear 
friend of mine, and a friend of many of those who knew him, who passed 
away a few days ago, and whose visitation services are being held even 
at this moment as I speak. While I was not able to be at

[[Page H911]]

those services, I am able to take the floor and pay tribute to Mr. 
James Hadley, a businessman, a banker, community advocate, a civic and 
church leader, and a friend to all of those who knew him.
  For most of his adult life, James Hadley spent it building financial 
and business enterprises in low, moderate income, and disadvantaged 
communities. And Jim worked with many, many programs and projects, 
business ventures, and financial institutions.
  And while he worked with many throughout the City of Chicago, I 
believe that that which gave him the greatest sense of pride and 
accomplishment was the work that he did with the Community Bank of 
Lawndale, where he, Cecil Butler, Diane Glenn, Reverend Shelvin Hall, 
and others pioneered the development of a community-owned bank, which 
has changed its name and is now named the Covenant Bank, and is under 
the leadership of Pastor Bill Winston of the Living Word Christian 
Center.
  James Hadley and I both grew up in Arkansas not very far from each 
other, I in a little town Parkdale, and he in another town, Warren. And 
I really didn't know him at that time. But as fate would have it, we 
both migrated to Chicago. And as I got to know Jim, he became a role 
model for me. He was seriously committed to every endeavor to which he 
was a part of. He was loyal to whatever he was engaged in. He was a 
great family man, dedicated to his family, had a comprehensive approach 
to life, and was just a pleasure to know, to be around, and to work 
with.
  As a matter of fact, I commend James Hadley for a life well lived, 
take note of his many contributions, and thank him for helping to make 
the world a better place in which to live.
  As a matter of fact, he served on the board of many not-for-profits, 
the hospital board, Mount Sinai Hospital, was an active member of the 
Carter Temple CME church, worked with the Boy Scouts, worked with the 
male initiative in his church, and was simply known as a good man to 
all of those who knew him.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, I extend condolences to his wife Gloria, his 
daughter, and all of the James Hadley family, and trust that there will 
be others who will come along like him, who was willing to give of 
himself continuously for the benefit of others.
  James Hadley, he lived a good life. Well done.

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