[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         REMEMBERING JULIUS W. HEGELER II OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2019

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to note the passing of a most 
remarkable man. Julius W. Hegeler II of Danville, Illinois died July 5, 
2019 at the age of 91.
  To say that Mr. Hegeler led an impactful life would be to gloss over 
the thousands who benefitted from his caring nature, his generosity of 
spirit, and his humanity. Few people are in a position to make such a 
positive impact, and even fewer take the opportunity. Mr. Hegeler will 
forever be remembered for having seized his opportunity with such an 
outsized desire to help that he never turned anyone away.
  A lifelong resident of Danville, Julius graduated from Danville High 
School and went on to earn a business degree before enlisting in the 
Air Force. He flew 70 missions as a jet pilot during the Korean War, 
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in May 1954 for 
``extraordinary achievement,'' and earned the Air Medal and Oak Leaf 
Cluster as well.
  Returning from the war, Julius and others built a chemical packaging 
company that he later sold. His fortune made, in 1992 he placed 90 
percent of his wealth into the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation and set 
out to give back to the community that he loved. Julius was especially 
concerned with helping those with disabilities and gave generously to 
local organizations such as Danville AMBUCS and WorkSource Enterprises. 
There were no limits to causes he would support, however, as the arts, 
education, recreation, community, and youth-focused groups and 
organizations have all benefited from Julius's assistance.
  Danville has lost one of its very best, a man who shunned the 
limelight but who nonetheless made so many lives brighter and richer. 
It has been my privilege to spend time with Julius Hegeler, and those 
memories I will always hold dear.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the 
family of Julius W. Hegeler II on the loss of this truly remarkable 
individual, and I wish the family the best during this very trying 
time.

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