[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF MAYOR HIRAM PALEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the life of Mr. Hiram Paley, former Mayor of Urbana, IL, and Associate 
Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois in Mathematics. Mr. 
Paley passed away on Monday, January 9, at the age of 78 at the Carle 
Foundation hospital in Urbana, IL, after his long fight with cancer.
  Hiram Paley was an excellent representation of what living the 
American dream is all about. He was born the son of Russian immigrants 
and rose above humble beginnings to obtain his doctorate in mathematics 
with a specialization in algebra. Mr. Paley became a professor at the 
University of Illinois in 1959 where he would meet his wife of over 50 
years, Jean Paley. Together they had three children. He soon became 
active in the local community, eventually rising to the Office of Mayor 
for the town of Urbana, IL. He served a single term as Mayor. 
Afterward, he remained active in community events throughout the rest 
of his life. He remained always perceptive to the concerns of everyday 
citizens with whom he interacted.
  It is paramount to emphasize that although Hiram Paley was not of the 
same political affiliation as I, he was always civil and respectful 
toward individuals who did not share similar political philosophies. 
This is an underlying theme that we as leaders should glean most from 
this man's life. This ideal ought to be at the forefront of our debates 
today. Civility and discourse in politics may seem like a large river, 
seemingly impossible to cross, but in actuality, our political reality 
today is but a modest stream that is only in need of leadership to step 
across and achieve consensus. And that model is what government is 
truly about. Thank you, Mr. Paley, for your excellent example and 
extraordinary life, as well as your service to our Nation; you shall be 
missed tremendously.

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