[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF EDWARD D. FRY II

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Mr. ROSS of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a good 
friend and dedicated public servant who recently passed away. On 
Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, Edward ``Ed'' Fry, long-time congressional aide 
and Chief of Staff to three successive Arkansas Congressmen, died of 
cancer at the much too young age of 55. Ed worked so hard for his state 
and nation for more than 20 years that he eventually earned the 
honorary title of ``Arkansas's Fifth Congressman.''
  I knew Ed Fry for many years and considered him a good friend since 
our days as active members of the Arkansas Young Democrats. In fact, we 
used to drive together across the state of Arkansas setting up Young 
Democrat chapters at colleges and universities wherever we could. Ed 
would later go on to serve as the President of the national chapter of 
the Young Democrats of America.
  Considering himself a life-long ``yellow dog'' Democrat, politics and 
helping people were among Ed's top passions in life. So, when Arkansas 
Governor Bill Clinton decided to run for president in 1992, Ed jumped 
at the chance to help and joined an enthusiastic group of Clinton 
supporters--called the ``Arkansas Travelers''--who traveled around the 
country to help elect the 42nd President of the United States.
  Ed Fry was born in Illinois, but his family moved to Pine Bluff, 
Ark., in 1972, where his father worked as a naval architect. He 
enrolled in Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., as a 16-
year-old student and graduated with his bachelor's degree in just three 
years. He went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Arkansas-Little 
Rock Bowen School of Law and a master's degree from Emory University in 
Atlanta, Ga.
  Ed also proudly served his state and nation as a congressional 
staffer in our nation's capital for more than 20 years, serving as 
Chief of Staff to three successive Arkansas Congressmen and as a mentor 
to dozens of young people over the years. He became such a staple in 
Arkansas politics and was such a strong and passionate advocate for the 
people of Arkansas that he eventually earned the nickname ``Arkansas's 
Fifth Congressman.''
  When not working, Ed took to the waters and had a great passion for 
boating his entire life, even earning his USCG Masters ``Captains'' 
License at the young age of 18. He had such a humble, infectious 
personality that as a friend, I know we will all miss him dearly.
  Ed made public service his career, life and passion. Arkansas and the 
nation are a better place because of the time, energy and life of Ed 
Fry. Cancer took from us a wonderful human being and a person who loved 
the American political system and who worked hard to make Arkansas and 
America a better place to call home.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his partner of 17 years, Mark 
McCullough; parents, Edward and Patricia Fry; sisters, Leah Ann Taylor 
and Andrea Zomber; six nieces and nephews; and, the rest of his family 
and friends.
  Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring all of 
our congressional staffers who work hard every day for the people of 
this country. I also ask that they join me in honoring the life and 
legacy of an extraordinary congressional staffer and statesman, Ed 
Fry--``Arkansas's Fifth Congressman''--who will be deeply missed 
throughout the halls of Congress and throughout the state of Arkansas.

                          ____________________