[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 17 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING WILLIAM LEE EDWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LUKE MESSER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2015

  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a man who 
had a tremendous impact on my life, William Lee Edwards. Bill was a 
treasured member of the Greensburg community and served in many 
different leadership roles at both Greensburg Junior High School and 
Greensburg High School over the past 40 years.
  Bill Edwards was also a devoted husband to his wife of 46 years, 
Joyce. Together, they were the proud parents of three sons and 
grandparents to four grandchildren. Bill was an avid fisherman and 
loved spending his free time outdoors.
  In addition to his family, Bill's lifelong passions revolved around 
education and sports. Bill served as the Greensburg Junior High 
Athletic Director for 27 years, coaching both the boys and girls track 
team, the football team, and the basketball team. Bill then moved on to 
become the face of Greensburg sports as the Athletic Director for 
Greensburg High School.
  Mr. Edwards, as I always called him, played a significant role in the 
lives of literally thousands of young people in his decades of service 
to Greensburg. I was one of them. He was my seventh grade Social 
Studies teacher and my eighth grade football coach. He was an 
outstanding teacher, who brought energy to the classroom. And, decades 
later, now as a Member of Congress, I still recall his lessons on 
Israel and Vietnam. He was a great coach, who pushed us to excel and 
coached many undefeated seasons. But, maybe most importantly, he taught 
us that anything was possible if you worked hard, followed a plan and 
believed.
  Mr. Edwards, I will always be grateful for those lessons. I know I 
speak for generations of young people in Greensburg when I thank you 
for your career. You will be missed by those you helped to smile, 
succeed and empower. May God bless you, your family, and all the people 
of Greensburg who you touched through your work.

                          ____________________