[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 73 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO JACK VAUGHAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. 
Darden] is recognized during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DARDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Representative Jack Vaughan, one of the youngest and brightest members 
of the Georgia House of Representatives. Jack died on Saturday at the 
age of 33 after battling brain cancer for 4 years.
  Mr. Speaker, Jack Vaughan started in politics with a mission to serve 
the people and he continued that mission until his untimely death. He 
amazed his colleagues and his constituents when he returned to the work 
of the people at the State capitol only 2 weeks after surgery earlier 
this year.
  During his three terms in the State house, Jack became well-known as 
a tireless worker and a coalition builder. He worked with his 
colleagues, regardless of their party, to get things done for the 
people. His example of leadership is one we here should all follow.
  I had the pleasure of knowing Jack virtually all of his life. His 
family and my family attend the same church--the First United Methodist 
Church of Marietta, GA. At one time, I was Jack's Sunday school teacher 
during his senior year of high school.
  He always impressed me with his sincerity, integrity, and enthusiasm. 
Also, I had the pleasure of knowing his loving wife, Diane, before her 
marriage to Jack. Several years ago I was thrilled to learn that they 
planned to marry and make their home in Marietta. They have a young 
son, John Dixon Vaughan III, who was the pride of Jack's life. Jack was 
a sixth-generation Mariettan and I have had the privilege of knowing 
three of those generations going back to his grandparents, the Griggs 
and the Vaughans.
  I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Diane and son 
John, his parents Jack and Gretchen, his sisters Sally and Mary, his 
brother Hal, and all his wonderful family in this very difficult time.
  I submit for the Record an article from the June 12, 1994, edition of 
the Marietta Daily Journal.

Jack Vaughan, ``Committed,'' ``Courageous,'' Dies at 33--State Lawmaker 
             From West Cobb Loses 4-Year Battle With Cancer

                            (By Bill Kinney)

       State Rep. Jack Vaughn, R-west Cobb, died Saturday at the 
     age of 33 after succumbing in a four-year battle with cancer.
       Rep. Vaughan's brain tumor was diagnosed in May 1990 during 
     his first term in the House. After surgery, he recovered 
     quickly and did not miss any of the session.
       He underwent a second operation in early January when the 
     tumor reappeared.
       He recently spent two days at Emory University Hospital 
     undergoing tests he jokingly called a ``tune up,'' saying 
     afterwards that he felt ``great.''
       On April 25, Vaughan announced he would not seek a fourth 
     two-year term in the Georgia Legislature, citing the need to 
     devote more time to his family and the possibility of 
     entering Candler School of Theology at Emory University this 
     fall.
       Rep. Lynda Coker, R-east Cobb and chairwoman of the Cobb 
     delegation, was Rep. Vaughan's House seatmate for four years 
     and said the news of his death ``left me just kind of 
     empty.''
       Over the past few months of Rep. Vaughan's illness, she 
     said she has had an opportunity to reflect ``not only on the 
     courage that Jack, his wife Diane and the family have shown 
     to us, but also the wonderful things about him.''
       Rep. Coker, who has been involved in local and state 
     politics for more than a decade, said she has ``never met 
     anyone more committed to serving the people. That was the 
     most important thing to Jack, his opportunity to serve. He 
     was proud of that.''
       Rep. Vaughan was first elected to the state House in 1988 
     after defeating Marietta lawyer Ronnie Knighton in the 
     Republican primary, then in the general election won over 
     Democrat and Marietta lawyer Irma Glover.
       Rep. Vaughan met his wife, Diane, while both were working 
     in Washington, he as an aide to both Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-
     east Cobb, and former Sen. Pete Wilson who is now governor of 
     California.
       Rep. Gingrich said Saturday he was proud to call Rep. 
     Vaughan a friend and even prouder to say ``that Jack launched 
     his political career as an interim in my Washington office 
     and later served as press secretary.''
       He described Rep. Vaughan's career in the state Legislature 
     as ``one of service to Cobb County,'' and added that even in 
     his long battle with cancer ``Jack was an inspiration as he 
     continued to serve the public and sought service rather than 
     sympathy.
       ``Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Diane and their son, as 
     well as his parents and family,'' Rep. Gingrich said.
       Had he run this summer for a fourth term, Rep. Vaughan was 
     not expected to have opposition either from within his party 
     in the July 19 GOP primary or from the Democratic Party in 
     the general election.
       A Marietta native, Rep. Vaughan graduated from Marietta 
     High School in 1979. The Marietta High School Foundation 
     recently named him its ``Alumni of the Year'' for 1994.
       He graduated in 1983 from Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky., 
     with a degree in English.
       Rep. Vaughan served six years in the Georgia House of 
     Representatives. His committee assignments included the 
     influential Ways and Means, Health and Ecology, Natural 
     Resources and Environment, Industrial Relations and 
     Retirement. Rep. Vaughan was an insurance executive with The 
     Insurance Store of Marietta.
       He served on the administrative board of the First United 
     Methodist Church of Marietta, as well as serving on the 
     finance and usher committees and played in the church's wind 
     ensemble.
       He was a 1987 graduate of Leadership Cobb and served on the 
     board of the North Cobb Unit of the American Cancer Society. 
     He was a member of Marietta Kiwanis Club, the Cheatham Hill 
     and Red Rock Community clubs and many other civic 
     associations.
       Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Marietta First 
     United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Charles A. Sineath Jr. 
     officiating. Burial will be in Kennesaw Memorial Park 
     Cemetery in Marietta.
       The body will be at the church at 10 a.m.
       A sixth-generation Mariettan, Vaughan is survived by his 
     wife, Diane Brown Vaughan; son, John Dixon Vaughan, III; 
     parents, Jack and Gretchen Vaughan of Marietta; two sisters, 
     Sally Reichert of Marietta and Mary Fortenberry of Kennesaw; 
     brother, Hal Vaughan, of Acworth and grandmother, Sarah 
     Frances Griggs of Austell; and several brothers-in-law and 
     sisters-in-law, as well as nieces and nephews.
       His late grandparents include Harold Griggs and Otis and 
     Katherine Vaughan, all formerly of Marietta.
       The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 
     p.m. Monday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.
       In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American 
     Cancer Society, Cobb County Unit, 1256 North Cobb Parkway, 
     Suite 102, Marietta, Georgia 30062.

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