[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO BOB GRIFFITTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 1997

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a great American, 
my friend, Bob Griffitts. Bob turns 50 today, and in some ways, I am 
sure that he does not want a lot of attention called toward this 
occasion.
  Bob has never been one to seek attention or publicity or credit at 
any time. But this should be a special day in his life, and he deserves 
a lot more credit and praise than he ever receives.
  Bob Griffitts is my district director and longtime closest personal 
friend. He spends his days quietly helping the constituents of the 
second district and over the last 8\1/2\ years has helped thousands in 
ways big and small. He works nights, weekends, and holidays and never 
really leaves the job behind. People would be shocked if they followed 
him around for a few weeks and saw how many hours he puts in.
  Bob serves the people of east Tennessee at a personal financial 
sacrifice. Before taking his present job, he was a very successful 
realtor and appraiser.
  He handled many commercial real estate deals for groups of doctors 
and other investors. He had many leading companies as clients of his 
appraisal business.
  Throughout his career, both in business and politics, he has always 
inspired a great feeling of trust and confidence in all those with whom 
he has dealt.
  There is not a dishonest or unethical bone in Bob Griffitts' body.
  Always giving of himself to others, Bob has almost never asked 
anything for himself.
  He has served this Nation well, through our great free enterprise 
system, in government, and through two other very important ways as 
well.
  First, while he almost never mentions it and no, very few people know 
it, Bob is a veteran of the frontlines of some of the toughest fighting 
which went on in Vietnam.
  He was and is a courageous, patriotic man who deeply loves this 
country.
  Hardened in numerous wartime battles, he is the kind of man you want 
beside you when times get tough.
  He would be embarrassed to be described in this manner, but to me he 
is a true American hero.
  Secondly, and most important of all, he is a devoted family man.
  He has had a long and happy marriage to his wife, Barbara, and his 
loyalty and friendship to me is without question a distant second to 
his love for and devotion to her.
  There is, though another woman in Bob's life, and no man has ever 
loved a daughter more than Bob loves his Deena.
  Deena has grown into a beautiful young woman, a recent graduate of 
the University of Tennessee and now getting off to a great start in a 
career with one of Knoxville's most respected insurance firms.
  Deena has never let her dad down and has made him a proud and happy 
father for many years.
  To sum up, Mr. Speaker, Bob Griffitts is the kind of man who has made 
this country great. He is not rich or famous, but he is well-known and 
greatly respected in his beloved east Tennessee.
  He deserves very much to be considered as one of our Nation's finest 
citizens.
  On this special milestone in his life, I would like say happy 
birthday and best wishes for many, many more.
  I could never repay Bob for all he has done for me, or thank him 
nearly enough. But I will close by saying that I am very proud to call 
him my friend.

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