[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING WILLIE B. NELSON, DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND EXALTED RULER FOR THE 
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, IMPROVED BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF 
                           ELKS OF THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM L. ENYART

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  Mr. ENYART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me 
in honoring Willie B. Nelson, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for 
the Southern District of Illinois and Exalted Ruler of Hercules Lodge 
#90 in East St. Louis, of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order 
(I.B.P.O.) of Elks of the World.
  Willie B. Nelson has been a pioneer who helped break down racial 
barriers in the local banking community. He worked as a custodian at 
the former Illini Federal Savings and Loan Association in East St. 
Louis at a time when management positions were not available to 
African-Americans. While working for the financial institution, which 
would later become Associated Bank, Nelson went to school at nights and 
took a number of financial training and internship programs. His 
determination and stellar performance succeeded in his appointment as 
Branch Manager for the bank. He would retire as Branch Manager after 
serving Associated Bank for 43 years.
  In addition to his professional career, Willie B. Nelson has 
dedicated his life to service and leadership within his community. 
Since being initiated into the I.B.P.O. Elks of World in 1955, he has 
served in virtually every leadership position for that organization, 
including two times as Exalted Ruler, first from 1975 through 1990 and 
again from 2007 to the present. In addition to serving as District 
Deputy Director for the Southern District of Illinois, he also served 
for 15 consecutive years as State Director of the Illinois/Wisconsin 
States Association.
  Willie B. Nelson has served in a leadership capacity on many other 
community organizations. He has served as President of the East St. 
Louis Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership Council of Southwestern 
Illinois, Target 2000, the Katherine Dunham Museum and the Southern 
Illinois Healthcare Foundation. He has also served as a Commissioner on 
the Board of the Illinois Housing Department. His leadership service 
extends to his church as well where he serves as Chairman of the Board 
of Trustees and Interim Finance Director for the Greater Faith 
Christian Church in Centreville, Illinois.
  Willie B. Nelson has been a devoted family man as well. His wife and 
two of his children have gone on to their heavenly reward but he is 
still blessed with the presence of his loving daughter, Lavonda Nelson, 
along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life 
of community service of Willie B. Nelson and wishing him the very best 
in the future.

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