[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11210-11211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF ESSIE POUGH ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to 
recognize one of my constituents from Oak Park, Illinois, Essie Pough, 
as she retires from the Illinois Department of Human Services after 46 
years of public service to the state of Illinois and its citizens. On 
behalf of the 7th District of Illinois, I congratulate and commend Mrs. 
Pough for almost five decades of outstanding dedication to the state.
  Mrs. Pough began her career when the agency was known as the Illinois 
Department of Public Aid. She has worked at multiple locations for the 
agency, providing the customers with professional assistance at each--
whether she was in the Walcott office, the Madison office, or in 
Humboldt Park. As an example of her commitment to the public, Mrs. 
Pough started taking Spanish classes after moving to her Humboldt Park 
office which serves a large number of Illinoisans who speak Spanish. 
She worked at the Humboldt Park office for 30 years.
  Although small in stature, Mrs. Pough has a dynamic and impressive 
personality that amazes her friends, family and co-workers. I also 
understand that she has a fondness for high heels, even starting her 
work day by walking up the stairs to her second floor office every day 
in 4-inch heels, which no doubt helps explain her health and fitness to 
this day. Mrs. Pough is a caring friend and co-worker. Her propensity 
to routinely feed her colleagues makes me disappointed that I never had 
the opportunity to work with her. In addition, she regularly supported 
her coworkers' accomplishments with parties to recognize birthdays and 
promotions as well as led the annual Black History celebration.
  Outside of work, Mrs. Pough is an avid bowler with an average of 133. 
Impressively,

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she has already bowled 200 twice this year alone. These scores are 
especially notable given her distinctive bowling stance, bowling while 
down on one knee. She is an active member of Living Word Christian 
Center where she adds her beautiful voice to the choir and shares her 
bowling talents with the bowling team.
  In closing, I join with the friends of Essie Pough and her 8 
children, 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 6 great great 
grandchildren in celebrating her retirement on April 30, 2014, after 46 
years of public service. I recognize Mrs. Pough's dedication to her 
community and state as well as convey my deep appreciation for her 
service. I am honored to celebrate the achievements of Mrs. Pough and 
am hopeful for a prosperous and active retirement.

                          ____________________