Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, I rise today to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Freddie Hutchins who passed away suddenly yesterday, on July 29. Freddie served on my staff since my election. He managed my Roanoke Senate office. He was a tremendous individual with a great deal of promise. I had selected him from a number of very talented people down in southwest Virginia to run this office. He passed away, as I said, suddenly only at the age of 26.
Freddie was a product of southwest Virginia. He grew up in Botetourt County. He was very heavily influenced by his grandfather, who was a very active Democrat and railroad man, a union man down in southwest Virginia. He was known for having made himself a business card at the age of 13 saying Freddie Hutchins, Democrat. He loved the rich culture of southwest Virginia.
He represented the values that characterize that region. He loved his country. He had a great sense of service and a determination to work hard. He developed a very early interest in politics. He was a C-SPAN enthusiast at a young age. Before joining my office, he had worked for State Delegate Onzlee Ware as a legislative aide and had been active in a number of political campaigns.
He was a tireless and vocal advocate for working people in this country. He was committed to social justice and was someone who was always eager and enthusiastic to help people.
He was one of the most honorable and friendly individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a mainstay in that community and had a very bright future. I had always assumed that Freddie Hutchins would be running for elective office in the near future. He was a friend to all who knew him.
Again, I express my condolences to his mother Karen and the rest of his family and all of those whom he had reached out and done so much with and for over the years. He will be greatly missed.
