[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H334-H335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, BICENTENNIAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate the bicentennial celebration of the founding of Montgomery 
County, Illinois.
  Montgomery County was formed February 12, 1821, and named in honor of 
Revolutionary War General Richard Montgomery. Montgomery County has a 
rich history, including being a friend to Illinois' favorite son, 
Abraham Lincoln, and providing a stretch of historic Route 66.
  Montgomery County continues to be a vibrant community that supports 
family, sports, fine arts, churches, and numerous organizations for 
more than 30,000 residents that make up 20 municipalities. I am proud 
to represent Montgomery County and the many people who make it a 
wonderful place to live.
  Congratulations to everyone in the county on celebrating their 
bicentennial.


                  Thank You to David A. Northern, Sr.

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
David A. Northern, Sr., for his leadership and service to the people of 
Champaign County, Illinois.
  I have had the privilege to work with David through his role as the 
chief executive officer of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, 
an organization which provides housing and related services to the most 
vulnerable populations in our community. He oversaw various programs 
that provided housing opportunities and assistance to over 13,000 
citizens.
  Under David's leadership, the agency launched numerous projects to 
develop affordable housing, update existing properties, and bolster 
support programs. David believes that the Housing Authority's mission 
is just as much about transforming futures and putting families on a 
path to economic self-sufficiency as it is to just providing homes. 
That vision and drive has served him well.

[[Page H335]]

  David's distinguished career and experience in Federal housing 
assistance has been a blessing to Champaign County. While we will 
certainly miss him in Illinois, we wish him the very best as he begins 
a new journey as the president and CEO of the Housing Authority of 
Birmingham District in Alabama, the largest in the State.
  Mr. Speaker, I, again, wish to thank my friend David Northern for his 
service to Champaign County and congratulate him and wish him the best 
in his new home in Alabama.


                       Remembering David Pickett

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
David Pickett, my friend from Taylorville, Illinois, who sadly passed 
away right before Christmas.
  David graduated from Taylorville High School in 1977, and then 
graduated from Western Illinois University in 1981, with degrees in 
accounting and computer science.
  He will be remembered in our community for his entrepreneurial 
spirit, his photography skills, and for his love of sharing with others 
in the community. His most memorable feat in Taylorville will be taking 
the hobby of photography and turning it into a business called Fun 
Photo. It was his own sports photography business. I saw David at 
sports events, and I still have pictures of my young kids in youth 
football and youth baseball that line my household because David was 
there. He was part of our community and he was part of our kids.
  David was an avid fisherman, a diehard Cardinals fan. He had a talent 
for cooking and loved to entertain his friends and family. His vibrant 
personality and remarkable smile will be missed.

  I really wish the best for his family right now. It is a sorrowful 
loss for them, but also everybody in our hometown of Taylorville. 
Shannon and my kids send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Debbie; 
his children, Mark and J.D.; his grandchildren, Libbey, Bennet, 
Jamison, Charlotte, and Connor; his parents, James and Mary; and his 
siblings, Linda and Tom.
  David, may you rest in peace, my friend.


                       Remembering Rosemarie Long

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day today. 
Last night, not just my good friend, but a great friend to our 
community and Sangamon County, Illinois, passed away.
  Rosemarie Long was somebody who I came to know as the head of our 
local Republican Party in Springfield, Illinois. I can tell you that 
Rose Long gave such good advice and great mentorship to many people 
like me and others who have walked this institution. Rose Long was 
somebody who cared about her community and cared about making her 
country better.
  My heart goes out to her family at this trying time, and I certainly 
want them to know that I know without Rose's guidance, without Rose's 
friendship, without Rose's support, I would not be blessed to serve as 
a Member of Congress.
  One thing about Rose, she was not shy, at all, of letting me know her 
concerns about what we may or may not be doing right for her in this 
institution. I cannot believe that Rose is gone. I cannot believe that 
the world is going to be a better place without her. But I know one 
place that will be better with her, and that is Heaven.
  Good luck, my friend. May you rest in peace, and may God continue to 
bless you and your family at this very sorrowful time.

                          ____________________