[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      IN HONOR OF ALFRED McKETHAN

                                 ______


                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 22, 1994

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special 
Floridian, Alfred McKethan, for his many years of service to the 
banking industry and the people of Florida.
  Alfred McKethan is a hero and a legend, not only to those people 
lucky enough to know him personally, but also to the thousands of 
strangers whose lives have been enriched by his deeds. His belief that 
``by building your community to build a bank,'' guided his 71-year 
banking career and earned him the title ``Mr. Florida Banker.''
  From the helm of the Hernando State Bank and later Sunbank and Trust 
Company, Alfred McKethan carried out his great vision for Hernando 
County and Florida. Once a sleepy county of 4,000 citrus growers and 
farmers, Hernando County is now a thriving community of 125,000 which, 
despite its growth, has preserved its values and country heritage. And 
long before water issues dominated the news, Alfred McKethan forced 
people to think about the future as the first chairman of the Southwest 
Florida Water Management District.
  As a member of the old Road Board, Alfred McKethan used his 
determination and vision to improve Hernando County roads and chart the 
future of transportation in Florida. The Sunshine Skyway, State Road 50 
from Hernando to the east coast and U.S. 98, and Eckerd College are all 
projects conceived and carried out by Alfred McKethan. Today, his name 
graces the University of Florida baseball stadium, owing to his years 
of financial support, as do many public parks and buildings in his home 
county.
  Pasco-Hernando Community College's Hernando campus might never have 
been built without the dogged determination of Alfred McKethan. And 
just recently, Alfred McKethan contributed $1 million to the school to 
provide 100 scholarships each academic year.
  The best part about honoring Alfred McKethan today is knowing that 
his legacy is far from complete. As he has said many times, retirement 
doesn't mean he going to ``fold up.''
  The people of Hernando County and all of Florida can rest assured 
that Alfred McKethan will keep working for them, making our State a 
better and more prosperous place to live, for years to come.

                          ____________________