[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 25]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 33767-33768]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO RALPH HENRY ``SMILEY'' SEYLLER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2007

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
community leader, Ralph Henry ``Smiley'' Seyller, of Hampshire, 
Illinois who passed away November 17, 2007 at the age of 82.
  Ralph was a man of many hats who dedicated his life to community 
service. Whether as a coach or park district director, much of his life 
was spent mentoring and encouraging children and developing programs in 
Burlington, St. Charles and Hampshire, Illinois.
  His many contributions and honors include:
  Ralph Seyller established the Burlington Boys Club and served as 
counselor for 17 years. For his efforts, the Village named the baseball 
field in his honor and inducted him into their Hall of Fame.
  After 25 years of employment at St. Charles High School, Ralph was 
honored for his service to the youth of St. Charles High School and his 
contributions to the Athletic Department. He was inducted into their 
Hall of Fame and given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
  In retirement, Ralph organized the Hampshire Park District and served 
as Director for 20 years. During his tenure, he established programs 
for people of all ages. His major accomplishments included creation of 
the Little People Playtime Pre-School program, now in its 25th year and 
occupying its own facility. He created the Coon Creek Classic Run/Walk 
which eventually included 800 runners. And he organized trips to 
Cellular and Wrigley Fields to watch the Chicago White Sox and Cubs 
play baseball. In appreciation of those and many other contributions, 
the east park was named the Ralph H. Seyller Park.
  Ralph served many years as Democratic Precinct Committeeman.
  I was privileged to know Ralph Seyller, whose son David Edmonson is 
married to my niece Jodi. His life serves as a role model for those who 
want to make their own communities the best that they can be in serving 
the needs and desires of their residents. My heart goes out to those 
who will miss him most, his loving wife and partner, Catherine, and his 
children Sarajane, David, Donald and Susan.

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