Achieving the American Dream

ACHIEVING THE AMERICAN DREAM -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 08, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. JOE WILSON
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008

* Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on Monday, funeral services were conducted in the Midlands of South Carolina for two gentlemen who symbolized achieving the ``American Dream'' of extraordinary fulfillment promoting their families.

* Louis Gonda and E.D. Phillips will always be cherished in our community for their service to others.

* Louis Gonda was born in Murska-Lobota, Yugoslavia, and immigrated at age four to Cuba. In 1960, he fled with his family to America for freedom, where he established the innovative Fergon Tool & Machine Co.

* His courage was proven when he was preparing to flee Communist Cuba. He bought multiple suitcases at a local shop, and as he arrived home, the secret police met him to interrogate him about his unusual purchase. The totalitarian enforcers accepted his story that his children were taking a short trip to New York to visit a sick aunt.

* E.D. Phillips was a proud native of South Carolina and graduate of the University of South Carolina. As an independent entrepreneur, he founded the Phillips Farmer Garden and Phillips Plants at the State Farmers Market. He courageously ran as a pioneer for the State House at the beginning of the new Republican Party in 1968 and 1970. He and his late wife, Emily, were among the founding members of Republican efforts in Richland, Orangeburg, and Lexington Counties providing the foundation for dozens of successful candidates at the county, State, and Federal levels. In 1988, they were Congressional District chairmen for President George H.W. Bush.

* Both Mr. Gonda and Mr. Phillips were married to active, strong, and supportive wives, who partnered with them to raise outstanding children as loving families.

* Mr. Gonda is survived by his wife, Nena, who he met when he was 11 and she was 8. Their children are Luis Gonda, Maria Gonda Smoak, Diane Gonda, Frank Gonda, and Rick Gonda. Services were at St. Peter's Catholic Church of Columbia.

* Mr. Phillips is survived by his children Becky Phillips, Deedie Belangia, Jackie Finch, Hal Phillips, and Steve Phillips. Services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Windsor Lake Ward of Columbia.

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