[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF WILLIAM GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 2, 2023

  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and legacy of a trailblazing engineer for the City of Chicago, my best 
friend's father, Mr. William Griffin, who passed away on his 100th 
birthday, on October 24, 2023.
  Mr. Griffin was born on October 24, 1923, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 
to Willie Griffin and Alma Daigre. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois, 
growing up in the Washington Park community. Mr. Griffin attended 
DuSable High School, where he excelled in classical literature and 
mathematics while making a name for himself as a tight end on the Black 
Panthers football team. Upon graduating in 1943, he continued his 
education at Wilson Junior College to pursue engineering.
  Mr. Griffin was drafted into the United States Army as an Army 
Private in 1943, working his way up the ranks as a Basic Instructor, 
Airplane Handler, and Rifleman, until he found his niche as a Heavy 
Machine Gunner. Serving in the 365th Infantry, 92nd Division, Mr. 
Griffin operated heavy weaponry and supported infantry units to break 
through enemy defenses. He was honorably discharged as a well-decorated 
officer on February 15, 1946. His military awards and recognitions 
include the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern 
Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, and a World War II Victory 
Medal.
  Mr. Griffin met his life partner, Esther Murphy, a beautiful southern 
belle, who moved to Chicago from Sheffield, Alabama, when she rented a 
room in his mother's boarding house. The couple wed on March 31, 1959, 
and from their union had three children.
  Following his Army discharge, Mr. Griffin resumed his education at 
the Illinois Institute of Technology, earning his Bachelor of Science 
in Civil Engineering in 1951. He became a licensed Civil Engineer by 
1957 and would go on to obtain his Structural Engineer license in 1964. 
Mr. Griffin began his trailblazing career in engineering for the City 
of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Mr. Griffin held numerous lead 
civil engineering and supervisory roles in the Bureau of Engineering, 
Bureau of Construction Services, and Operations Division, ultimately 
becoming the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Works for 
the City of Chicago in the Harold Washington Mayoral Administration.
  The engineering legacy of Mr. Griffin lives on in the infrastructure 
of Chicago. The inner workings of the engineering systems throughout 
the city have felt the impact of Mr. Griffin's creativity and 
dedication to his craft, which traces back to him riding the L train as 
a child.
  From his childhood he developed a deep appreciation and curiosity for 
urban systems and architecture. His love for the City of Chicago is 
felt in every gear, beam, and buttress of the bridges and left an 
undeniable mark on the engineering system of one of the most visited 
cities in the United States.
  Mr. Griffin was a community leader in the Jeffery-Yates Neighbors 
Community Organization. Mr. Griffin stayed active into his later years, 
nurturing his longtime loves such as debate, sports, classic 
literature, and music as a talented trumpet player.
  Above all, Mr. Griffin was a committed family man. He was preceded in 
death by his parents and beloved wife, Esther Murphy. He is survived by 
their three children, Ava, Tara, and Eric; his cousin, whom he 
considered a brother, Elliott Daigre; his furry, four-legged family 
members: Ebony, Chewbacca, and Milo, as well as Kavik, Prince, Hunter, 
Langston, Sade, Starlight, Puffy and Friskie; and a host of cousins, 
dear friends, and family who we know will miss him dearly.
  On a personal note, I was honored to get to know Mr. Griffin as the 
beloved father of my law school best friend, Tara. Mr. Griffin was one 
of a kind. His quick wit, robust knowledge of all things, and warm and 
engaging demeanor were a part of his perpetual charm that made him a 
true Renaissance man. Mr. Griffin excelled in everything he did--as a 
trailblazing engineer for the City of Chicago, a devoted husband, a 
self-taught handyman, and a connoisseur of classical literature, jazz, 
sports, and life learning. I will cherish all the wonderful memories of 
being in his presence. I am so grateful to Tara, Ava, and Eric for 
sharing their father with me. I know the legacy of Mr. Griffin will 
live on through the many people he impacted. We are all blessed that he 
lived to be 100 years old.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of William Griffin for 
his contributions to the engineering profession and decades of service 
in transforming the City of Chicago.

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