[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO FRED DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2024

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my 
friend, colleague, and former student, the gentleman Fred Davis. I have 
known Fred since he was a teenager at the school where both my wife and 
I taught and where Fred attended. Fred was a gentleman then and 
remained a gentleman until a few days ago when the Lord came and called 
him home to be at peace and at rest.
  Coming into contact with Fred after many years, I was delighted to 
know he was a church-going businessman, a doting father, a loving son 
who visited with his mother almost every day, and one who was always 
advocating for something or trying to help somebody with a problem.
  Fred, along with a group of retired individuals, adopted Wallace's 
Catfish Restaurant as their meeting place, and it became their social 
center where they ate lunch, talked politics, and gossiped. Harry 
Reese, who had worked with me forever, decided to quit, retire, or no 
longer work. He was certainly old enough. Fred approached me and stated 
that Reese was retiring, and Fred would like to have his job. I said 
OK, and Fred worked with me since.
  Fred was as solid as a rock--never late, always ready to roll. Rain 
or shine, sleet or snow, Fred was already ready to go. Sometimes, Fred 
would get a telephone call as we pulled off. He would say, ``that's 
Momma. She wants to know how you're doing.'' I'd respond, ``Tell her 
that I am doing fine.'' Then we'd be on our way together.
  Good day to Fred. We're still on our way.

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