[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  TRIBUTE TO THE LATE KATE REED ESTES

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 10, 1994

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the privilege 
today to pay tribute to the late Kate Reed Estes of Trenton, TX. Kate 
was born June 28, 1917, in Trenton, died on June 29, 1994, and in the 
intervening years enjoyed a rich and rewarding life. She was known 
throughout North Texas for her two loves, politics and jazz music. She 
was very special to me and to my family.
  Kate Reed Estes was the daughter of Burgher Reed and Lucille Morrow 
Reed. Her father was one of the five founding fathers of REA in Fannin 
County, and her family was close to the late Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Sam Rayburn. A lifelong Democrat and Democratic party 
leader, Kate was a former employee of mine during my tenure in the 
Texas Senate. She also worked for and supported the late Congressman 
Ray Roberts. Her professional and political skills were invaluable in 
my office, and I appreciated very much her years of service. Above all, 
she was loyal. She loved her home, her city of Trenton, the United 
Methodist Church, and all of Fannin County. Kate knew so many people. 
Each friend was a part of her, and all of us considered her as family.
  Kate held the distinction of being the only female jazz pianist ever 
to play with the One O'Clock Lab Band at North Texas State University. 
She also was the first woman to graduate from the jazz department at 
North Texas State. She was a professional musician and a former member 
of American Federation of Musicians. As a jazz musician she played with 
such greats as Tennessee Ernie Ford, Frankie Carle, Gene Hall, and Leon 
Breeden. She also played for Arthur Godfrey and Cactus Pryor and played 
at almost every major club in Texas at one time or another.
  As a retired public school teacher, political leader, and jazz 
musician, Kate was an inspiration to those who were fortunate to know 
her. She was a good friend and will be greatly missed by all those 
whose lives she touched.

                          ____________________