[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 191 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1243-E1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF LAWRENCE BUTLER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2022

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, Lawrence Butler, Jr. 
was born in Natchez, Mississippi on November 25th to Ellen Shaw Butler 
and Lawrence Butler, Sr. He was the only son and the youngest of three 
children. He had two sisters: Clara Butler Watts and Regina Butler 
Davis. The family attended Greater Fatherland Baptist Church.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  December 8, 2022, on page E1243, in the third column, the 
following appeared: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, 
December 8, 2022 DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, 
Lawerence Butler, Jr. was born in Natchez, Mississippi on November 
25th to Ellen Shaw
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: IN THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, December 8, 2022 Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of 
Illinois. Madam Speaker, Lawerence Butler, Jr. was born in 
Natchez, Mississippi on November 25th to Ellen Shaw


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  After attending Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana, he moved to Chicago, where he lived with his Uncle Harrison 
Shaw. Lawrence fell in love with Chicago and got busy making a life for 
himself in the Windy City. He began working as a bus driver for the 
Chicago Transit Authority but was drafted into the Army where he served 
as a military policeman. After serving his country, he returned to 
Chicago and joined the Chicago Police Department. He wore the badge 
with pride and honor for 34 years and enjoyed protecting and giving 
back to the city that he so cherished.
  Lawrence's life truly began when he met and fell in love with a 
beautiful young lady by the name of Beverly. Lawrence and Beverly 
married on September 21, 1975. Shortly afterwards, Beverly and Lawrence 
purchased what would become their family home a beautiful old Victoria 
in the historical Austin Schock District.
  Lawrence would spend the next several years working alongside his 
father-in-law to lovingly restore every square inch of the home

[[Page E1244]]

to the point of surpassing its former beauty. The house truly became a 
home when Beverly and Lawrence welcomed their first daughter, Mary-
Ellen, soon followed by their second daughter, Hilaree.
  His greatest source of pride was being the ever-present, unshakable 
force driving his family to excel. He lovingly encouraged and supported 
his wife as she advanced in her education and career. He set the bar of 
achievement high for his two daughters and challenged them to continue 
to push forward to reach even greater heights. Lawrence instilled a 
strong sense of self-worth in his children and constantly reminded his 
wife and daughters that the only limits to their successes would be 
those that they imposed on themselves.
  Lawrence had a strong sense of humor and loved engaging in 
philosophical conversations. He was a free thinker who loved music and 
had an unyielding appreciation for the arts and creative expression. 
Lawrence laughed often and loved deeply. He was fixture in his 
community and the heartbeat of his family
  Lawrence was called home to eternity on November 6, 2022. He is 
preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Sr. and Ellen.; and eldest 
sister, Clara; father-in-law, Nelroy; and other treasured loved ones. 
His memory will live on and be cherished by his loving wife of 47 
years, his daughters, Hilaree and Mary-Ellen, his son-in-law Julio; and 
a host of loved ones.

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