Chris Coons: “I rise to recognize a close friend from Delaware, Fred Sears, a community leader and a passionate advocate for all in…”

“I rise to recognize a close friend from Delaware, Fred Sears, a community leader and a passionate advocate for all in our community, a man whose name is synonymous with business leadership and public service in my home State of Delaware and a man I am proud to call my friend. Fred is known statewide for his generosity, his enthusiasm, and his business acumen. For decades, his impact has been felt by elected officials, nonprofit, community leaders, and countless Delawareans of all backgrounds and careers. He is a true leader, an authentic champion of the community, and the embodiment of what service means in Delaware. Fred Sears is a Delawarean through and through. He was born blocks away from his boyhood home at what was then called Wilmington Hospital, and he grew up across the river from Brandywine Zoo. This Delaware native attended Mt. Pleasant Elementary, Aldred I. DuPont Junior High, and Wilmington Friends for high school. Fred went on to earn a business degree from the University of Delaware. He had a great deal of fun, including a truly memorable spring break trip to the Bahamas with Joe Biden, his classmate and friend. After graduating from UD in 1964, Fred began a nearly 40-year career in banking. Fresh out of college, Fred was scheduled to interview for a job with the Bank of Delaware but accidentally walked into Delaware Trust instead. Fortunately, Delaware Trust was also hiring.…”