[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF DAVID DRINKARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 2017

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of a 
very special person and dear friend of mine, David Drinkard.
  David was a former art teacher at Warren High School in Warren, Texas 
and a renowned wildlife painter. We have been friends since attending 
Forest Park High School and Lamar University, in Beaumont, Texas. He 
was an expert at painting God's beautiful creations in nature. There is 
nothing prettier than a ``David Drinkard sky.'' His paintings hang in 
homes, businesses and galleries all over, including my own home and 
dental office.
  David was a devout Christian, a loyal husband, father, grandfather 
and great grandfather. He was a strong conservative and an active 
conservationist, donating many paintings for auction to the Coastal 
Conservation Association and other groups to help raise funds for 
conservation projects and causes. He was an excellent hunter and 
probably ranked as one of the best fishermen with whom I ever had the 
privilege of casting a lure.
  I am honored to have one of his paintings prominently displayed in my 
congressional office in Washington. It depicts David and me catching 
speckled trout on Sabine Lake in Texas. Some of my children and I even 
took art lessons from him in his hometown of Warren years ago. David 
Drinkard has a very special place in our hearts and we will miss him 
dearly.
  David passed away on December 26, 2016. His wife Beverly and family 
will continue to be in our prayers.

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