[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2433-H2434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING SALLY CLARK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.

[[Page H2434]]

  

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Sally Clark, who was part of the class of 1963 at East High School in 
Des Moines, Iowa. I never knew her as Sally Clark because I knew her as 
Sally Davis, my mother.
  I am very appreciative that the class of 1963 allowed my mom to be 
part of a reunion in July of 1993 because my mom never graduated with 
that class. Sally Clark dropped out of high school in 1962 and 
eventually finished her degree much later by getting her general 
equivalency diploma with the help of my sister, who was the reason she 
dropped out of high school in 1962.
  In looking at the program from that reunion in 1993, the fondest 
memories my mom had of East High School were the friends she left 
behind. In 1977, she left not only friends behind, but she left family 
behind and moved our family to Taylorville, Illinois, where I grew up 
and where she inspired so many.
  My mom passed away 17 years ago today. The reason I am here is 
because of the inspiration she was to me and to so many. I want to tell 
her what I couldn't tell her on Mother's Day: Your family is doing 
great. Your granddaughter, who you knew as a 2-year-old, just finished 
her freshman year of college. The grandsons you never met are doing 
fine as freshmen in high school. Mom, your whole family is doing well. 
As a matter of fact, you have a great-granddaughter now that shares 
your middle name. I am here on the House floor to fight to make sure 
that we work in a bipartisan way to end the scourge of the cancer that 
killed you and that has killed so many, young and old. We will never 
forget this fight and I will never forget that fight because of what 
you meant to me and to so many. Mom, I love you and I miss you every 
day. You are the reason that I get this privilege to be a Member of 
this great institution.

                          ____________________