[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 91 (Thursday, June 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SHERIDAN LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2011

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to pay 
tribute to Sheridan Lee of my district who died on June 9, 2011. We 
have lost a strong and vigorous supporter of human dignity and justice.
  A lifelong resident of Genesee County, Sheridan spent 3 years in the 
Marine Corps. He returned to Flint and worked in the banking industry 
for 35 years, retiring from Bank One as Vice President of Commercial 
Loans. His first hand experience as the owner of the Hale Hat Shop 
helped him understand the struggles small businesses faced and he was 
very proud that he was able to help so many businesses in Flint.
  For over 45 years, Sheridan was an uncompromising advocate for a 
better nation. While Sheridan was active in Michigan politics before 
1968 his true leadership shined at the 1968 Congressional District 
Convention when as the Vice-Chair of the New Democratic Coalition he 
gathered a group that became known as the Kennedy-McCarthy Coalition 
and elected seven of the eight delegates to the National Democratic 
Convention, including myself. Sheridan was not satisfied with just 
saying or singing Kumbaya. He was not content with only sentimentalism. 
He was a persistent, tireless activist. Sheridan pursued justice 
unrelentingly. On October 14, 1969 Sheridan presided over the largest 
peace rally ever held in Flint, Michigan to protest the Vietnam war. 
Over 4000 citizens assembled at Wilson Park to express their anger over 
our nation's war policy. On that site today stands a statue of Gandhi, 
a monument to peace.
  His political involvement was all encompassing. He was a great 
strategist and organizer but he contributed his physical labor to 
whatever was needed--from going door to door to assembling and 
distributing yard signs for the Kildee campaign and other Democrats. He 
helped drive dignitaries when they visited Flint including Secretary of 
Education Richard Riley during the 2000 campaign. As the former 
Treasurer of the Genesee County Democratic Party, Sheridan was 
recognized by the Michigan Democratic Party this year when they named 
him the Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year at the annual Jeff-Jack 
Dinner. Indeed his telephone answering message gave no question as to 
his fervent political affiliation: ``Hello. You have reached the Lee 
residence, the home of good Democrats.''
  In 2004, Sheridan and his wife, Maryion, formed the Progressive 
Caucus of the Genesee County Democratic Party. They started the Caucus 
to focus on educating the public about health care, the war, and other 
issues affecting the people of our country. They believe the public was 
getting a slanted view of issues and they decided to do something to 
correct it. They held numerous town hall meetings and seminars to give 
people an opportunity to express their views and hear a variety of 
opinions.
  My wife, Gayle, and I appreciated their moral compass and enjoyed 
their warm friendship. We broke bread together and enjoyed visiting 
them at their farm home. Family was very important to Sheridan. His 
son, Lindsey, Lindsey's wife, Beth, and their 3 children Teddy, Marlin 
and Freya; son, Lynn, his husband, Steve, and their daughter Addison; 
and daughter, Megan, are all politically active. Sheridan was very 
proud that he inspired his children to carry on his work in their own 
communities.
  All who have shared Sheridan's friendship are better people because 
of that. I know that I am a better congressman but more significantly a 
better human being because of Sheridan Lee and his talented wife, 
Maryion.

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