[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   TRIBUTE TO MR. THOMAS EARL CLAYTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2026

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. 
Thomas Earl Clayton who passed away on April 8, 2026, just one month 
shy of his 89th birthday.
  Mr. Clayton was born on May 9, 1937, in the town of Montrose, 
Mississippi. Tom spent his early years growing up on a farm between 
Montrose and Raleigh, under the guidance of his grandmother, Mattie 
Tatum, where he learned the value of hard work, discipline, and 
resilience. At around sixteen, Tom relocated to Joliet, Illinois, to 
live with his father, embarking upon a new chapter in his life. From 
there he enlisted into the United States Air Force where he proudly 
served for four years. He returned home, got himself a GED, enrolled in 
Kennedy King College, and earned a degree in nursing.
  The rest is history. In 1991, he united in Holy Matrimony with Cerra 
Lang Taylor Smith, and, together, they built a strong partnership which 
has lasted for almost fifty-five years. He joined Metropolitan Baptist 
Church under the leadership of his father-in-law, Reverend Jessie 
Taylor, and, in 1986, was a Charter Member of the Greater Love 
Missionary Baptist Church where he has served faithfully in several 
leadership roles, Chairman of the Deacon Board and of the Joint Board.
  It has been my personal joy to know of Mr. Clayton's great life, 
wonderful works, and just how much he, his family, and church 
connections have meant to our community. I thank Mr. Clayton and now 
may he rest in peace.

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