[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 180 (Thursday, December 5, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING JOHN A. SPRING

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in 2004, the city of Quincy, IL, elected a 
new mayor. In musing on how he intended to lead, he said: ``It's not 
about me. One person can't make everything happen. You've got to have a 
team.'' And while it may be true that great leaders need great teams 
supporting them, John Spring was the kind of leader, mayor, and 
community advocate you wanted leading your team. Today, it is with 
great sadness that I share the news of John's passing.
  A native of Rock Island, IL, John graduated from Quincy College where 
he met his future wife Karen, who sadly passed away in 2021. They were 
married for 50 years. A theme that remained consistent throughout 
John's life was his dedication to serving his community. He first 
answered the call to service through teaching. John worked as a teacher 
in St. Louis and in the Quincy Public Schools, before he was hired at 
Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1976 as a biology teacher and 
assistant basketball and football coach.
  His time at Quincy Notre Dame would provide him with one of his first 
leadership opportunities, when halfway through the school year, he was 
asked to put aside his teaching duties and serve as the school's first 
full-time director of development. He readily accepted the challenge. 
However, what John was not told when he was offered the job was that 
the school was in financial trouble, having borrowed more than $100,000 
from a local bank to cover operation costs. For many, raising that sum 
of money would be an overwhelmingly daunting task. But believing in the 
importance of investing in quality educations for young people, John 
went to work. Soon after, the school's first fund drive--a way to raise 
money to cover the gap between the cost of running the school and the 
amount of tuition the school must charge--was born. It has since become 
a mainstay of Quincy Notre Dame's fundraising efforts.
  Proving his leadership abilities and commitment to the school, John 
went on to become the executive director of the Quincy Notre Dame 
Foundation for 29 years. He loved the work. So, what might have 
compelled him to leave that role? A call to serve his community in 
another manner: as mayor. He first experienced Quincy's political scene 
as a member of the police and fire commission, and when then-mayor of 
Quincy Chuck Scholz decided in the fall of 2004 not to run for a fourth 
term, John once again answered the call to serve his community. His 
vision was simple: making life better for everyone in the community.
  John served as Quincy's mayor for 8 years. He was a community 
favorite. During his tenure, he focused on updating transportation 
infrastructure and regional partnerships as a way to foster long-term 
economic growth. And, surprising to no one who knew John, he found 
success. During his tenure, he led successful efforts to expand Amtrak 
service to the city, upgrade Maine Street, and implement a multiyear 
infrastructure plan. And during the 2008 recession that saw many 
communities suffer, under John's leadership, Quincy opened new 
businesses, lowered taxes, and helped the county report the second-best 
employment record in the State.
  His contributions to the community did not go unrecognized. In 2018, 
John was inducted into the Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame, and 
recently, he was selected as a 2024 delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention in Chicago.
  Like every good elected official ought to be, John was an attentive 
listener, a caring community member, and a truly decent man. In all 
things John did, he led with compassion, humility, and grace. He was a 
visionary leader who truly represented the best of us. Time and time 
again, his community called him to serve. And time and time again, he 
answered the call faithfully. Until the end, John would send my staff 
and me community updates and ideas to improve the lives of the citizens 
of West Central Illinois.
  Loretta and I send our deepest condolences to John's children--
Stacey, John, and Mike--and seven grandchildren as they cope with his 
tremendous loss. It was a privilege to call John a friend, and we will 
miss him dearly.

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