[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE LIFE OF TIM HAGAN

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today in my hometown of Mexico, MO, a very 
dear lifelong friend, Tim Hagan, will be buried. Lowell Lambert ``Tim'' 
Hagan, III, owner of Hagan Clothing Co., died Sunday after a long 
battle with cancer, and will be sadly missed by his family and all of 
us who were privileged to be counted among his friends.
  Tim was a tremendous businessman and community leader. Born and 
raised in Mexico, MO, Tim developed a lifelong reputation as ``doer''. 
He successfully ran the family clothing business, and was involved in 
numerous community organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Mexico 
Chamber of Commerce, and the Mexico Country Club. Out of compassion for 
those less fortunate, he was the former president of the Audrain County 
Cerebral Palsy Society, and for 6 years was chairman of the Missouri 
National Multiple Sclerosis Hope Chest Campaign.
  Because of his understanding of the daily challenges small business 
owners face, Tim was chosen to be part of the Missouri delegation for 
the White House Conference on Small Business in 1995. That conference 
was one of the most successful in history, in that some of the ideas 
generated by Tim and others to create small business jobs and 
opportunities have been acted on by Congress and many others are now 
being discussed.
  Tim also felt that the education of our children and youth was 
particularly important to securing a good future, and was instrumental 
in bringing the Technical College to Mexico. That contribution will 
benefit the youth of Audrain County for years to come. His presence and 
spirit in the community will also continue to be felt for many years in 
that his own son, John, will continue to run the fourth generation 
family business.
  Tim shared with his friends a love of his Irish ancestry, though his 
love was more frequently and forcefully expressed as a lifelong 
Democrat. Even in the last days of his illness, he and I engaged in 
many spirited, but good natured political debates.
  Our culture is quick to glorify the here and now, the ``flash in the 
pan'' celebrities, the ``cause'' of the day. By that measure, Tim Hagan 
stood apart. While he was known in the community as a ``feisty 
Irishman'' with unfailing energy, he was also a builder. He spent his 
entire life making life better for his family, his employees, his 
church, and his community. His love for others knew no racial or social 
boundaries. We will miss him terribly.
  I ask unanimous consent that an editorial by Joe A. May in 
yesterday's Mexico Ledger be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 [From the Mexico Ledger, Apr. 8, 1997]

                      Memories of a Courageous Man

       One measure of a man's life is how much he's missed once he 
     is gone. The death of Tim Hagan Sunday has left a void in 
     this community as immense as the spirit with which he moved 
     through this world.
       Tim excelled as a husband, father and businessman, but 
     somehow that was expected. Those who had the pleasure of his 
     acquaintance knew he was incapable of offering anything less 
     than the best.
       Through his work and volunteerism Tim touched many lives 
     and those of us who knew him will always treasure our 
     favorite memories.
       Some may remember the third-generation clothier's innate 
     touch of class.
       Some will remember the Mexico native's dedication to civic 
     projects that have improved our city.
       Some will remember the gregarious Irishman and his 
     unflagging enthusiasm for the sports teams of his alma mater, 
     Notre Dame.
       Some will remember the dedicated golfer and his exploits on 
     the greens or his stories of the game that time and blarney 
     could always improve.
       As for me, I will remember Tim's friendship, his humor, his 
     generosity, his gift for lightening the burdens of others.
       But all of us can share the memory of Tim's determination. 
     He had battled cancer since 1990. The faith, conviction and 
     love for family he demonstrated during that fight should 
     serve as an inspiration. Even on the most trying of days, his 
     attitude remained positive, his smile present.
       His courage to the end provided the best testimony to the 
     man, his spirit and the life he spent among us.
       He died as he lived--a feisty Irishman.
       Goodbye, my friend. I will miss you.

                          ____________________