John Shimkus: “I thank my colleague for yielding. I also recognize Al Green, who was going to do the same thing. Al Green is a…”

“I thank my colleague for yielding. I also recognize Al Green, who was going to do the same thing. Al Green is a Democrat. Those stories don't get reported very much when you go to a colleague, a friend, a Democrat, and say, ``Hey, I really want a few minutes so I can talk about my parents,'' and he was happy to do that, but he just ran out of time and had to run to the plane. So, my thanks to him. It was about this time 5 years ago that I came to the floor to honor my mom and dad, Gene and Kathleen Shimkus, as they were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. It was my hope that I would do so again this week, honoring their 70th wedding anniversary, but that was not to be. My mom passed away on April 6 of this year. Now, as I have done this week a couple of times, it is time to thank my parents for their incredible support throughout my life and particularly these last 24 years. My mom and dad were both local Collinsville kids. Dad was raised on South Clinton by his grandparents, and my mom was raised on Fairway Boulevard in State Park. So from Collinsville High School, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and raising seven children, they knew a lot of people. Mom kept the local yard sign book. It was difficult for anyone to tell my mom no. She was loved. My dad would put up the yard signs and take them down. Mom also was involved in many early envelope stuffing parties for political mailings.…”