CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE October 7, 1999
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24556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE October 7, 1999 made it the only airport in the region by his wife, three sons, his mother and Buddy’s music and personality have with new facilities to do so. sister, his family was the real focus of provided refuge, relief and delight to In addition, Mr. Driscoll initiated the his life. Everyone who came in contact four generations of music lovers. And LAX Master Plan, a long-term process with him would quickly learn about his through all those years, he has also to guide development of LAX to meet family—as he always found a way to been a loving husband to his wife of 45 air passenger and cargo demands for bring them up in a conversation. years, Pat, a caring father to their the next 20 years. Since 1992, LAX has Jim DeFrancis’ devotion to his fam- now-grown children Teresa, Chris- become the third busiest passenger air- ily, his friends, and his career was topher, Tabitha and Amanda, and a port in the world and the second busi- matched by few and will be deeply daily churchgoer and teacher of cat- est air cargo airport in the world. missed by those who knew him. We will echism. To offset this growth, Mr. Driscoll never forget Jim—crossing paths with He has given himself to thousands of committed LAWA to undertake major Jim DeFrancis was sure to leave a last- people through his music. Although it noise reduction and management pro- ing impact. And it is this lasting, far- is a little sad that he won’t be dis- grams, including nearly $500 million in reaching impact that Jim’s life has had pensing his brand of joy on a nightly programs for residential soundproofing on those who knew him which calls to basis any more, it is reassuring to and compatible land-use; recycle water mind a quote that I think Jim would know he is available to play when programs; and a variety of clean air appreciate, not only because it is a someone asks. programs, including alternative-fuel quote by Winston Churchill, but be- vehicles and traffic mitigation. All of cause I believe Jim would be moved to My sincerest good wishes to Buddy these programs have received awards know what an influence he had on us: Charles and his family on this impor- ∑ from environmental organizations and ‘‘This is not the end. It is not even tant occasion. regulatory agencies for outstanding the beginning of the end. But it is, per- achievement. haps, the end of the beginning.’’∑ f I wish Jack Driscoll well and thank f him for his contribution towards im- FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS BUDDY CHARLES proving Southern California’s aviation DEDICATION OF LEONARDO DA gateway.∑ ∑ Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise VINCI SCULPTURE, IL CAVALLO f today to take note of an upcoming milestone in the career of a man from ∑ Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise IN MEMORY OF JIM DEFRANCIS Illinois whose musicianship, warmth today to acknowledge and congratulate ∑ Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise and exuberance have brought joy to all Frederik Meijer and the Frederik today in memory of Jim Upton who have heard him play and sing over Meijer Gardens as they unveil and dedi- DeFrancis: a great politician, a great the past 52 years. cate the Da Vinci sculpture Il Cavallo historian, and a great family man, who On Saturday, October 9th, Mr. Buddy (the horse). died on January 1 of this year. Charles will play the final night of his Frederik Meijer’s incredible gen- Jim DeFrancis was one of the most most recent engagement—a 9-year erosity and foresight enabled Il Cavallo influential people in the political field, stand at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. to be seen at its permanent home in always maintaining political savvy— Buddy Charles is no less than a living the Frederik Meijer Gardens. In an ef- but not sacrificing perspective, an in- encyclopedia of what critics call the fort to fulfill his dream of creating a credible sense of humor, and a belief ‘‘Golden Age’’ of American popular world class sculpture garden Frederik that politics was an avenue for serving music. During the period from about Meijer and the City of Milan, Italy others. Very early in my career, I had 1920 to 1950, the Gershwins, Arlens, Ber- (where an identical sculpture is lo- the good fortune of working for Jim in lins and Carmichaels of the world pro- cated) allowed for the work of Da Vinci Senator Bob Griffin’s office. I will duced a rich legacy of songs. Although to be recommissioned and created. Il never forget the many lessons I learned recorded versions of these songs are nu- Cavallo was originally sketched and from him—both directly and simply by merous, they are kept alive in a special commissioned by Da Vinci in 1482 and working near him. One couldn’t help way by entertainers such as Buddy he continued to work on it for fourteen but learn from Jim DeFrancis. Charles. years. However, the bronze intended to In addition to his 10 years with Sen- Buddy is a lifelong Chicagoan, born cast the sculpture was used to make ator Griffin, Jim DeFrancis was an in- there 72 years ago, raised on the North cannons to defend the city of Milan, tegral member of the presidential cam- Side, and a graduate of Loyola Univer- therefore Da Vinci never completed the paigns of Gerald Ford and George Rom- sity. The roster of clubs in which he work. ney. As a member of the staff of these has performed since 1946 reads like a politicians, Jim was able to avoid the history of night life and entertainment In 1977, after reading an article about spotlight while serving Michigan and in Chicago: London House, Spaghetti the horse that Da Vinci never had the national politics, in the honorable and Bowl, Dubonnet, Casino, Drum chance to create, amateur sculpture professional manner for which now he Lounge.... and pilot, Charles Dent created the is recognized as a very significant Perhaps his most memorable stand— first model of Il Cavallo. After his member of Michigan political history. chronicled frequently by the Chicago death in 1994 Nina Akamu sculpted the Jim’s love of politics was rooted in news media—was his 18-year engage- Il Cavallo that is on display today. The his love of history. He especially en- ment, from 1972 to 1990, at the Acorn on sculpture was cast using twenty thou- joyed reading about Winston Churchill. Oak. There he could be found, as the sand pounds of bronze, stands twenty- An avid reader, Jim collected any book Chicago Tribune wrote, ‘‘shouting and four feet tall and weighs fifteen tons. on Winston Churchill that he could singing when most sensible people are Frederik Meijer is to be thanked and find, as well as other artifacts related sleeping and dreaming, the most devil- commended for carrying out his vision to the late Prime Minister. During dif- ishly delightful creature of the city and giving a world class gift to the city ficult times, Jim would look at night.’’ of Grand Rapids and the people of Churchill’s life as a model, gaining in- And it was there that Buddy became Michigan. Nearly five hundred years spiration and guidance. the favorite entertainer of two of Chi- ago Da Vinci had the vision for this And while Jim’s contribution to poli- cago’s most famous personalities— great horse. Due to the acts of tics is exceptional—in his very actions, Mike Royko and Harry Caray. When Frederik Meijer, a great humanitarian, he inspired us to work for others Mike’s memorial service was held two this rare and magnificent work of art through politics—his true love was his years ago in Wrigley Field, there was will stand tall in the Frederik Meijer family. More than anything else, Jim Buddy at home plate, playing and sing- Gardens for all to see for many years DeFrancis was a family man. Survived ing Royko’s favorite song. to come.∑ VerDate jul 14 2003 14:19 May 28, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S07OC9.004 S07OC9.