The only thing we have to fear is...

If somebody asked you who was responsible for the phrase, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.", I am sure that most people would be able to come up with the correct answer. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and that would be right. How about this one, "December 7th, 1941, a date that will live in infamy.". Who immortalized these words on that fateful day? If you said FDR, you would be right again. The first words were spoken at FDR's inaugural address and of course, FDR delivered those now famous words to a country in shock after the surprise attack of Pearl Harbor.

Respecting the historical significance of each of these addresses, the first trying to energize a nation during the Great Depression and the second marking the sadness of Pearl Harbor, I would like to use a little poetic license and suggest that these comments could very well have been applied to another historic occasion. A date that will live in infamy could apply to January 30th. This is the birthday of 2 great Americans, one who delivered the now famous speech line and the other, our very own Iron Dave. When FDR referred to fear in that inaugural address, he didn't have Iron Dave in mind, but I assure you, when Iron Dave was in his prime, he put fear in the minds of his competitors. The only thing they had to fear was Iron Dave and his competitive spirit.

Those of us who know Iron Dave, recognize that he shares, not only FDR's birthday, but also his fiery enthusiasm for politics and fairness. We all wish him well as he prepares to enter his eighty first year. He has certainly made his mark on us, but his love of family, his commitment to his school, and his passion for life are epic indeed. For our Mathematician friend, as he passes his "prime number" age of 79, we all hope that there are yet a "number" of prime years ahead. Happy birthday Iron Dave!