[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 81 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING F.M. YOUNG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Flores) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Francis Michael Young 
of Waco, Texas, who passed away on May 1, 2016.
  Mr. Young, better known as F.M., was a leading businessman and 
philanthropist in Waco and central Texas. While he ran a successful 
business and employed hundreds of central Texans, his lasting legacy 
are his family's charitable contributions to Waco institutions, such as 
Baylor University, the Waco Mammoth National Monument, and Providence 
Health Center.
  F.M. was born on January 13, 1930, in Tours, Texas. After a series of 
moves, the Young family settled in Speegleville, Texas, where F.M. 
attended local schools and met Gloria Davis, who later became his 
loving wife of over 60 years.
  F.M. went into business with his brothers, R.T. and B.W., building 
storage tanks for local farmers with surplus military equipment. In 
1948, the Young brothers created Waco's first asphalt plant and would 
begin winning and working on State highway contracts in 1950. Over the 
next 20 years, F.M. expanded the company to be one of the top five 
highway contractors in Texas.
  F.M. spent countless hours serving his local community and central 
Texas in a multitude of ways. He served on the board of the Waco Boys 
Club, the Waco Chamber of Commerce, and the Baylor/Waco Foundation. He 
and Gloria also had a rich history of donating to Waco institutions. 
The Youngs provided concrete for the scoreboard at Baylor's Floyd Casey 
Stadium, created a marina on the Brazos River for the Governor Bill and 
Vara Daniel Historic Village, and designed and built the Brazos Queen 
II, a riverboat tourist attraction along the Brazos River.
  In 2007, Providence Hospital opened the F.M. and Gloria Young Tower. 
This facility, which was underwritten by a financial contribution from 
F.M. and Gloria, includes a five-story addition that provides bed space 
with state-of-the-art cardiac clinics and care centers. The Youngs also 
played a vital role in the opening of the Waco Mammoth site, an 
educational tourist attraction, which was recently designated a 
national monument by the National Park Service.
  Mr. Speaker, F.M. Young worked tirelessly to better our central Texas 
and Waco communities. He is loved by his city, and certainly left an 
enduring impression on central Texas. He will be forever remembered as 
a great philanthropist, businessman, husband, father, grandfather, and 
friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Young family. We also lift up the family and friends of F.M. Young 
in our prayers.
  Today I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the 
United States Capitol to honor the life and legacy of F.M. Young.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country during these difficult times, for our military men and women 
who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.

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