[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H1091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             REMEMBERING WILLIE DAVIS ``BIG WILL'' PRINGLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Foxx). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Denham) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
life of a beloved community leader and friend from Victor Valley 
College. Willie Davis Pringle, also known as Big Will, was a beloved 
father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and coach. He died at the age of 
62 on Tuesday, January 6, of this year.
  Willie began his career at Victor Valley College, where he worked for 
33 years. He was an active member of his community, and he advocated 
for students, the disabled, and the disadvantaged. While at VVC, Willie 
also met the woman and coworker who later became his wife, Mary.
  Willie was a member of the Victor Valley Elementary School Board for 
16 years. He assisted the disabled through job opportunities and 
benefits, served on the Hesperia Truancy Board, and was a member of the 
City of Victorville Advisory Board and Planning Commission. He also 
served as a member of the supervisory committee for the Victor Valley 
Federal Credit Union and was currently serving as president of the 
board of directors for Excelsior Charter School.
  For many years, Willie would help serve meals to the homeless with 
the Salvation Army. Recently, he was recognized by the Los Angeles 
County Alliance, the California Alliance, and the National Alliance of 
Black School Educators for his service as a school board member. In 
2009, Victor Valley Community College presented him with the 
Distinguished Service Award.
  Willie was a lot more than that to many of us students. In the 33 
years that he spent there, he was a friend; he was a mentor; he would 
talk to you as you walked through the campus; he would recognize if you 
weren't in class that day. Many times, he would seek you out in the 
community to make sure that you were staying out of trouble. This 
mentor meant so much to so many of us, and he is going to be sorely 
missed.
  In December, Victor Valley College officials hosted a dedication 
ceremony in honor of the 33-year college employee, naming the college's 
athletic training room after him. Pringle served as the Rams' head 
football coach and athletic director, and he later became the director 
of student services before retiring.
  He gave a lot of advice to many of us, encouraging us to seek out 
other opportunities. For me, I became student body president. And we 
had many other football players that followed in those same footsteps, 
at Willie's request. He kept us busy. He mentored us. He got us 
involved and engaged.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing Willie 
Davis Pringle for his unwavering leadership and many accomplishments 
and contributions.

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