[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO WINDELL DANIELS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2008

  Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, last week the City of Wilmington, North 
Carolina, lost one of its most beloved leaders and doers--Windell 
Daniels. I had the distinct honor to give remarks at his funeral and 
wanted all my colleagues here in the U.S. Congress and indeed the 
entire nation to know what a lasting impact this one man made on so 
many.
  Luke, Chapter 6, Verse 38 says, ``Give and it will be given back to 
you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will 
be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will 
be measured back to you.''
  Wilma, Euran, and Jay--your husband and your father lived a life of 
giving.
  And in his eternal resting place with God, his soul has been 
replenished with the overflowing blessings of the joy, peace, and love 
that he shared with so many throughout his extraordinary life.
  My friends, Windell Daniels was a humble hero. A humble hero that 
lived his life the best way he knew how--by serving others. A humble 
hero that had unfinished business here on earth. And a humble hero that 
would now tell each of us to keep building the bridge he had begun and 
keep giving to others.
  Only a handful of people come into one's life and touch it in 
dramatic fashion. Some are flickers of light, and others are consistent 
glows. Windell Daniels was one of those very few consistent glows--
indeed, he was a beacon.
  As we celebrate the wonderful life of this friend to all, let us be 
challenged by Windell's work, will, and wisdom that inspired us all.
  First, it was his work. Windell did his good deeds by stealth--never 
advertising all the assistance he gave. But look around here today and 
look around this beautiful city--and you see many people, places, and 
organizations that have been on the receiving end of his gentle 
kindness.
  From his work at the Wilmington Housing Authority to provide the most 
basic of services to those in need--a home, to his work at UNCW to help 
our young people receive a quality education; from his work at the 
Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce to help expand the economic 
opportunity for all, to his work to help address the homeless 
challenge; and from his work and service as a Marine in Vietnam; to his 
efforts to promote the beautiful historic port city--Windell Daniels 
gave his time, talents, and treasures.
  Second, in addition to his work, it was Windell's will to make this 
community better that set him apart. It was a will that found a way--
not an excuse. It was a will that asked not, ``What is in this for me? 
Instead, how is this going to affect others?''
  It was a will that when he gave his commitment to get something done, 
he did it wholeheartedly. It was a will that--with Windell--you knew 
exactly where you stood with him. And he stood with you. And it was a 
will that graced our life more than he could have ever imagined!
  Third, with his work and his will, it was Windell's wisdom that so 
many sought after. From business executives to community leaders to 
educators, Windell was a solid sounding board because his wisdom was so 
keen. Some of you may not know this, but Windell and I worked together 
every year for the last twelve years to promote our celebration of 
Black History Month for all of southeastern North Carolina. And many of 
you know that he was the coordinator of the many, many volunteers who 
are getting ready for the commissioning of the USS North Carolina 
submarine next weekend; and he was already coordinating with my office 
an effort to honor Wilmington in a special Coast Guard Day celebration 
scheduled later this summer.
  His was wisdom that was a fount of knowledge, know-how, and knack to 
get it done! That's why he was so involved, because everyone valued his 
opinion and respected his advice. We have lost a man far too soon--that 
no one can replace anytime soon.
  But through Windell Daniels' work, will, and work, we have been given 
much that will live on for generations and generations.
  As Windell approached those glorious lights of Heaven Tuesday night, 
I have no doubt that the good Lord was there with open arms saying, 
``Well done, good and faithful servant.''
  Thank you, and may God bless the life of Windell Daniels and of his 
family and friends.

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