[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 58 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. BRUCE TEAGUE JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2016

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to 
pay tribute to Mr. Bruce Teague Jr. (The Bossman), who was called to 
rest by his heavenly father on Thursday April 7, 2016.
   Bruce, Mr. Speaker, was born in Henry County, Tennessee on March 29, 
1931. He was the seventh child out of eight born to Bruce and Essie 
(Boyd) Teague and he loved each of his siblings.
   Due to the limited opportunities available in Tennessee, Bruce 
decided to explore the bright lights, big city life in Chicago, 
Illinois. While residing with his big sister, Alice, Bruce began to 
work various jobs until he landed a career at the National Casting 
Company (NCC). Being a man of faith, he was led by God to pursue what 
became two of his own successful entrepreneurial endeavors in towing 
and in real estate investing. After 40 years of being a hardworking, 
dedicated, and exemplary employee, he retired from NCC in 1992.
   In 1958, he met Mary Helen Hargrove and they were married the 
following year on December 18, 1959. To this union six children were 
born: Regina, Donna, Tasha, Juan, Bruce, and James. There was nothing 
he enjoyed more than celebrating the accomplishments of his family and 
friends through weddings, anniversaries, graduations, baptisms, 
recitals, and many other special occasions. A major accomplishment of 
his own was celebrating 56 years of holy matrimony to his beloved ``May 
Helen''.
   Mr. Speaker, Bruce was a man of strong core values. His foundation 
and beliefs were deeply rooted in the Love of Family and Faith in God. 
Bruce believed in attending church faithfully no matter where he was. 
Whenever in Iowa City, he attended House of Praise Church under the 
leadership of Pastor Rick McCaslin. He poured his time, energy, and 
experience into the next generation of upcoming Deacons. Bruce 
implemented the ``Deacon Apprenticeship Program'' at House of Praise 
Church to train and develop young men how to carry out the duties of a 
deacon.
   Mr. Speaker, some of his greatest pastimes were having breakfast 
with his friends in Chicago and Iowa City, watching and attending 
baseball games while eating popcorn, gardening, and traveling with his 
family. ``Switchblade Bruce'', the ``Bossman'', shot straight from the 
hip. One could never mistake what he meant; he told you just what he 
felt. but Deacon Teague cried about everything. He even cried when he 
was forced by Mary Helen to discipline the children. He often reminded 
his children, ``If you do wrong, I will only come to get you from jail 
one time''.
   His legacy will live on through: his loving and devoted wife of 56 
years Mary Helen; his children, Regina, Donna, Ricky, Tasha, Juan, 
Darron, Bruce, James, Jeremiah, Danielle and a host of family and 
friends.
   Mr. Speaker, those who truly knew Bruce Teague Jr. know he was not 
pompous or prideful, but proud of his life and all of those in it.

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