[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF FREDERICK WALTON ALLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2021

  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of 
Frederick Walton Allen of Peoria, Illinois, who passed away on January 
24, 2021, at the age of 97.
  Fred Allen, born on June 10, 1923, in Ripon, Wisconsin, had a long 
and distinguished career as a plaintiff's attorney. A self-made 
businessman, Fred built his law firm in Peoria around respect and 
integrity, virtues admired by both his clients and community. These 
priorities helped him become the first downstate Illinois lawyer to win 
a $1 million award for a client and become a member of the Inner Circle 
of Advocates, an elite national group limited to plaintiff's attorneys 
who had won seven-figure awards.
  Fred lived a full life and his accomplishments were not limited to 
his legal career. As a young man, his studies were halted early due to 
the start of WWII. Mr. Allen enlisted on December 7, 1942, exactly one 
year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and became a pilot in 
the U.S. Army Air Forces. After his military service, he signed a 
contract as a pitcher with a minor league affiliate for the Cleveland 
Indians. In 1949 when Fred graduated from Law School at Northwestern 
University, he immediately took the ``rocket train'' to Peoria where he 
applied for his first job at a firm. He continually served others 
through countless years of membership at the Elks Club, the American 
Legion, the Country Club of Peoria, and the First United Methodist 
Church of Peoria. He loved central Illinois and made many quiet 
contributions to better the lives of those in his community.
  Fred will also be remembered for his love and commitment to his 
wonderful family. He was preceded in death by his wife Tilley, who said 
Fred's love and devotion to her throughout their 66 years of marriage 
were beyond measure. He was blessed with three daughters, Diane, Rita, 
and Laura, 7 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Fred's fondest 
memories in life were ones spent with his family and his love and pride 
for them were boundless.
  I want to offer my condolences to the Allen family and the people of 
Peoria on the loss of a great man. Fred left a lasting impact on those 
who had the pleasure of knowing him. May his memory be eternal.

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