[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30887]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DAVID A. WIRSING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to my colleague 
and friend in Illinois, David A. Wirsing, State Representative from the 
70th district. Dave went home to be with the Lord suddenly on Sunday, 
November 16, 2003. He leaves a loving wife of over 40 years, Nancy, 
four grown children--Mark, Steven, Angela and Susan--and 11 
grandchildren.
  Dave Wirsing was a friend in the truest sense of the word. He was a 
man of deep personal faith, a loving and faithful husband to Nancy and 
a wonderful father to his four children. He spent the majority of his 
life in agriculture as a former pork producer and grain farmer. He and 
Nancy had the same phone number their entire lives, and their address 
always ended with ``Sycamore, Illinois''. Then, in 1992, he decided to 
enter public service and run for State Representative of the 70th 
district.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to Dave today not only for his 
selfless public service to the people of Illinois, but to Dave as a 
friend. Before Dave ever ran for public office, he was simply a 
husband, father and grandfather. He raised his children with a sense of 
humor, a stern discipline, high moral standards, a deep and abiding 
faith in God and taught them leadership skills and simple common sense. 
Mostly, he raised his children and provided his wife, Nancy, with love. 
Few knew at this point how much he would impact the lives of so many 
people or that so many would seek his counsel. His children never 
dreamed that the man they simply called ``Dad'' would become the man 
many would call ``great.''
  Dave Wirsing was a friend to many. His small and large acts of 
kindness are unfathomable to some. However, to Dave, it was just the 
way he was meant to live his life. He was a humble man, never quite 
understanding why people outside of his family would honor him for 
achievements that to him were just what he was supposed to do. He was a 
man who dedicated his life--indeed, his heart and soul, to serving 
others--his family, his neighbors, his friends, his constituents.
  Dave led by example--he lived by the Golden Rule, and yet he never 
expected anything in return for his kindness and compassion. He loved 
being around people--be it the company of his wife and family or in the 
presence of colleagues, acquaintances and even strangers. He was able 
to laugh at himself--a trait seldom seen these days. He dedicated his 
life to serving others. He helped his children grow, learn and prosper; 
he helped his neighbors in times of need; he helped his friends to 
resolve problems; he helped his colleagues see both sides of an issue 
and then beyond that to a resolution; he helped his constituents obtain 
the assistance and guidance they had a right to; he helped many young 
people grow in life through his wisdom, his gentle and jovial 
encouragement, his love and respect for each person as an individual, 
and his high regard for bettering oneself.
  Mr. Speaker, Dave Wirsing's accomplishments were many, but most 
importantly, not a day went by that he did not share himself with 
someone. Solutions and advice came to him from principle and 
philosophy. He was not out to make a name for himself, he just wanted 
to make things right in his part of the world. If he did not have the 
skill necessary to help someone, he sought it out. He lived by the 
philosophy that if you always tell the truth, you won't have to 
remember what you said. Dave Wirsing did not live his life to achieve 
great moments, but instead had a lifelong commitment to a set of values 
and ideals. As I reflect today on the whole of his life, that is his 
greatest accomplishment. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, 
compassion and love for his family, friends and constituents. He will 
be deeply missed.

                          ____________________