[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A TRIBUTE TO MY GOOD FRIENDS TINA AND GARTH COONCE

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                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding couple 
from my hometown, Marion, IL. Tina and Garth Coonce are wonderful 
people who are working in the service of the Lord. They are the 
founders and president of the Tri-State Christian Television Broadcast 
station, and this year they are celebrating their 20th anniversary on 
the air.
  I have had the pleasure of being a guest on their show from time to 
time and have enjoyed sharing with many viewers the role of 
spirituality in the public arena. I was able to share the lessons I 
have learned as an elected official and as a cofounder of a group known 
as Faith in Politics.
  The good Lord has given Garth many talents. the is an excellent 
writer and is the renowned author of ``How To Keep Your Life in 
Focus.'' Garth also is quite a scholar and has earned a bachelor of 
science in business administration, a masters of business 
administration, a doctorate in humanities, and an honorary doctorate of 
divinity. To say the least, Garth is a learned man.
  Mr. Speaker, Garth's past corporate experience has helped him run the 
hugely successful Christian Radio Broadcast Flagship. He has a 
marketing background and has managed an accounting practice, in 
addition to serving on the International Task Force for Artificial 
Sweeteners, the National Association of Accountants, the Chemical 
Management Advisory Board, and the National Religious Broadcasters. He 
is also a U.S. Air Force veteran and an multiengine pilot with 
instrument rating.
  Garth's family has always been this backbone. His wife, Christina, an 
integral part of Garth's ministry, has been this partner through every 
endeavor and also ministers as a noted Christian leader herself. Garth 
has been known to say, ``One of my great sources of joy is the 
tremendous family God has given me.'' His eldest daughter, Victoria, 
and son-in-law, Curt Clark, are both proud alumni of Oral Roberts 
University. Victoria now is an instructor of communications, while Curt 
is a successful executive with Pepsi Corp. His younger daughter, Julie, 
also a graduate of Oral Roberts University, married Thomas Connor Nolan 
III, who is now executive director of the Tri-State Christian 
Television Broadcast station.
  Mr. Speaker, the Coonce's are an inspiration. They are a rare family 
that does not feel ashamed to show their faith to others and to witness 
the good news of Christ. Through their Christian Television Broadcast 
station they have touched thousands of viewers who are in need of the 
Gospel, and I applaud them for their outstanding efforts. God speed.

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