[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING REVEREND CHESTER LEONARD CAVIL

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a native Iowan 
who left this good Earth on November 26, 2025. With his loving wife at 
his bedside, Rev. Chester Leonard Cavil was welcomed home at age 77.
  Now, Mr. Cavil and I crossed paths decades ago because of my sister 
Bunny Wiegmann. My oldest sister worked her entire career at F.W. 
Woolworth's in Cedar Falls, IA. She was the bookkeeper for the 
business.
  Back then, women didn't run the store, at least not officially. But I 
know that Bunny ran the show. As part of her responsibilities, she 
trained all the employees and was assigned to train the incoming store 
manager. That happened to be Mr. Cavil. They worked together at 
Woolworth's for 12 years. Bunny continued her job there as bookkeeper 
for a total of 45 years.
  During his time as store manager, Bunny and Mr. Cavil became good 
friends. To be sure, their friendship lasted long after he left 
Woolworth's. Bunny always called him Mr. Cavil, a sign of respect in 
the workplace. Most of their friendship was long distance. Bunny and 
her husband Ed traveled to Chicago to celebrate Mr. Cavil's wedding to 
his beloved wife Ruby in 1986.
  Thinking back, I would have to say their friendship was the reason 
Mr. Cavil became one of my earliest--and most visible--supporters.
  At the time, I was serving in the State legislature. In early 1974, I 
decided to run for the House of Representatives when H.R. Gross 
announced his retirement.
  When I decided to run for Iowa's Third Congressional District, which 
included the Cedar Falls-Waterloo area, Mr. Cavil wanted to help. Of 
course, back then, there wasn't such thing as advertising on social 
media. You did it the old-fashioned way. Mr. Cavil offered to put a 
larger-than-life sign that said ``Grassley for Congress'' anchored on 
top of his car. Turned out, that 24/7 kind of advertising was worth its 
weight in gold--and it was free.
  Looking back, I would say he went out on a political limb to help me 
get elected. Every day, Mr. Cavil parked his car with the big blue and 
white sign anchored on top in the front of the shopping center. 
Remember, this is before online shopping. So, that sign caught the 
attention of countless customers in 1974, from the primaries all the 
way to election day that November.
  But perhaps most noteworthy was where Mr. Cavil drove his car home 
every night and parked: his urban neighborhood in Waterloo. I am sure 
many of his neighbors didn't have the slightest idea who Chuck Grassley 
even was. For those who knew my political party, I am surprised the 
sign didn't get ripped off the roof. Either way, the giant ``Grassley 
for Congress'' sign on top of his car certainly raised my name 
recognition. And to have his backing made a difference--nothing beats 
retail politics. I will never forget his steadfast support and loyalty 
to Bunny.
  After my election to Congress, Mr. Cavil and his wife kept in touch 
over the years. After I was elected to the Senate, they visited my 
office in Washington, DC, a couple of times. The Cavils raised a family 
and built their life together in Georgia, where they launched a couple 
of businesses and Mr. Cavil followed his vocational calling. He 
volunteered for decades as a chaplain and was ordained a Baptist 
minister. Reverend Cavil immersed himself in his ministry, teaching 
Sunday school, Bible studies and performing weddings and funerals for 
the faithful.
  Barbara and I extend our condolences to his loving wife Ruby, as well 
as his children, grandchildren, and entire extended family. I have no 
doubt Mr. Cavil and Bunny have enjoyed reminiscing about the good old 
days at Woolworth's.

                          ____________________