[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 102 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E832-E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. WILLIE SPAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2017

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Willie Span of Tamarac, Florida. Willie was a constituent of mine, who 
tragically passed away on October 2, 2014, after being struck by a 
vehicle while on his way to the William ``Bill'' Kling VA Clinic in 
Sunrise, Florida.
  Since this heartbreaking accident, Willie became a symbol for 
pedestrian safety and for veterans in our community. Veterans had 
advocated long and hard for a crosswalk and traffic light to the Bill 
Kling Clinic, yet they were told that there were not enough pedestrians 
crossing the street to warrant the changes. In the time since the 
accident, Willie's wife, Doris Span, has continued to push for a safer 
way for veterans to cross the street from the bus stop to get to the 
clinic.
  The bus stop has been temporarily removed and replaced with 
paratransit service for veterans, and we are all anticipating a lasting 
solution to avoid future tragedies. We must do everything we can to 
create safe places for pedestrians through the placements of crosswalks 
and lights. Too often, this does not happen until a terrible accident 
occurs.
  Mr. Speaker, Willie Span was a veteran of the war in Vietnam, having 
served as a private in the United States Army, 8th Infantry Division. 
He and his wife had been married for eight years before purchasing 
their first home together, something that had always been his dream.
  On Monday, June 19, 2017, Willie's family, friends, and 
representatives of the U.S. Army, the Miami VA Healthcare System, the 
William ``Bill'' Kling Veterans Clinic, the Broward County Veterans 
Coalition, and Broward County Transit will gather at the location of 
the accident to honor his memory and place a memorial plaque. He is 
remembered as a soft-spoken and honorable man, beloved by his family 
and friends. I am very pleased to honor his life and legacy.

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