[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF VIRGIL WIKOFF

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2012

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor of the 
life of Virgil Wikoff.
  The Champaign-Urbana community grieves at the loss of Virgil Wikoff. 
This former Champaign mayor and State Representative was a rock of 
strength and stability through some of the most tumultuous times in 
local history. Virgil Wikoff saw us through those times with courage 
and a steadfast temperament.
  His passing follows in far too short an order the passing of former 
Champaign Mayor Bill Bland, and former Urbana Mayors Jeff Markland and 
Hiram Paley. I served with Mayors Markland and Paley on the Urbana City 
Council, and with Mayor Wikoff in the General Assembly. The loss of 
these men hits close to home. One is always reminded of one's own 
mortality with the loss of friends and colleagues.
  But the losses of these individuals, each of them exceptional, is 
even more profound. They represented the best of our two cities, 
selfless in their public service and passionate in executing the duties 
of their offices.

                          ____________________