[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 9, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING EARL MICHAEL WILLIS

  Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of a 
young man who was not only an intern in my congressional office but 
also a friend. Earl Michael Willis was born on May 29, 1993, in Baton 
Rouge and was the beloved son of Earl and Cristal Willis. He grew up in 
Brusly, LA, and attended Holy Family School and Catholic High School in 
Baton Rouge. Michael developed a strong connection to God during his 
formative years, especially through close friendship with Father 
Michael Allelo, and his Christian faith and values were an important 
aspect of his daily life. When Michael was in middle school, his sister 
Rachael Lynn passed away from cancer. From that point on, Michael's 
life was dedicated to his sister's memory, and he and his family 
participated in many Light the Night events. More recently, Michael and 
his wife Megan established a nonprofit foundation named ``Running for 
Rachael'' in honor of his sister.
  Ever since working at River Road Day Care in Port Allen in high 
school, Michael was passionate about advocacy. At age 20, he became a 
legislative assistant to Cindy Bishop of Checkmate Strategies and went 
on to become the director of business development for the firm after 
finishing college. Michael graduated from Louisiana State University in 
May 2015 in political science. While at LSU, he was an active member of 
the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and vice president of policy for The 
Center for Development and Learning, where he led the center's 
``Literacy and Economic Development'' summit and led a highly 
successful ``Literacy Day at the Capitol.'' Michael married the love of 
his life, Megan Voda, on April 17, 2020. He possessed an incomparable 
measure of love and devotion for his wife, his parents, and all of his 
family. Sharing quality time with them was always atop his list of 
priorities.
  Michael is survived by his wife Megan, parents Earl and Cristal 
Willis, brother Nicholas Boudreaux, nephews Noah and Nicholas 
Boudreaux, mother- and father-in-law Cris and Tim Voda, sister-in-law 
Katie Voda, his honorary nephews Beau Seymour and Harrison Danna, his 
honorary nieces Lilly Seymour and Caroline Danna, and a host of aunts, 
uncles, extended family, and friends. Michael Willis was a truly loving 
and inspiring individual who always ensured that those around him felt 
loved, valued, and appreciated. He will be deeply missed, but his 
memory will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved 
him.

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