[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2916-S2917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING HARVEY WELCH

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it didn't feel historic at the time for 
Harvey Welch, but it was. Harvey, a native of Centralia, IL, came to 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a basketball scholarship and 
became the first Black student at the university to letter in 
basketball in 1951. He achieved this 3 years before the Brown v. Board 
ruling found school segregation unconstitutional.
  Harvey played basketball at SIU from 1951 to 1954. He also was the 
first Black student to complete the ROTC program at the university. 
When he finished college, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was one of 
the first three Black officers to be promoted to lieutenant colonel.

[[Page S2917]]

  Never forgetting SIU, Harvey came back to Carbondale after he retired 
from the Air Force in 1975. He became the first Black dean of student 
life at SIU and served as vice chancellor of student affairs from 1987 
to 2000.
  In addition to SIU, Harvey continued serving his community through 
the Carbondale Park District, Rotary International, and Southern 
Illinois Regional Social Services. His work earned him the Carbondale 
Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2007.
  SIU recognized with the Distinguished Service Award during 
commencement in 2018. For 22 years, students benefited not only from 
his leadership and wisdom, but from the Harvey and Trish Welch 
Scholarship Fund too.
  Harvey helped define what it meant to be a Saluki. He loved hunting 
and golf, but his commitment to SIU and his family came first. Future 
generations of Salukis will continue to look up to Harvey's legacy of 
service and dedication.
  On May 4, Harvey passed away after an extraordinary life of service 
to his country and his community.
  Harvey is survived by his four children and their spouses: Harvey 
Cato Welch and Anita, Gordon Patrick Welch and Retha, Karen Annette 
Welch Edwards and Terry, and Brian David Welch and Petrice. He leaves 
behind 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and 
nephews.

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