[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H5392-H5393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING CONGRESSMAN JIM TRAFICANT AND WILLIAM FRANKLIN HANKS, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to two close 
friends of mine, one here in the Congress and one in my hometown of 
Knoxville.
  The first is the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant), one of the most 
popular Members of this body on both sides of the aisle. I pay tribute 
to the gentleman from Ohio tonight because of the bill that we just 
passed to reform the IRS.
  Newsweek Magazine recently had a cover story about the IRS, and on 
its front cover Newsweek described the IRS as ``lawless, abusive, and 
out of control.'' But for many years, and probably longer than anyone 
else presently in the Congress, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) 
has been speaking out against IRS abuse of ordinary citizens.
  In addition, it was the gentleman from Ohio who originally authored 
the legislation to place the burden of proof in tax cases on the IRS 
rather than on the taxpayer. In other words, thanks primarily to the 
gentleman from Ohio, a taxpayer will not now be subjected to the very 
un-American injustice of being presumed guilty unless or until he 
proves himself innocent.
  Many people seem to be taking credit for this provision now, but I 
think the primary credit should go to our friend: Jim Traficant.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that about 85 to 90 percent of the American 
people want us to drastically simplify our tax laws. Mr. Speaker, we 
certainly should, but I doubt that we will any time in the near future. 
But at least we have passed this IRS reform today and the gentleman 
from Ohio deserves the most credit for the most significant part of it, 
and I salute the gentleman for this great accomplishment.


                        In Tribute to Bill Hanks

  Mr. Speaker, next I would like to say a few words about a close 
friend of mine from home, Bill Hanks, who recently retired after a long 
and successful business career.
  William Franklin Hanks, Jr., was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, 
October 15, 1934. He grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, where his 
parents, Sally and ``Tubby'' Hanks moved when he was a year old.
  Bill graduated from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, 
in 1957, where he played varsity basketball and was a member of Sigma 
Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
  It was at Furman that he met Beth Ballentine, a South Carolina girl 
who stole his heart; and they were married after his graduation.
  Bill coached basketball one year at Statesville, North Carolina High 
School. After 5 years in sales for the Weyerhaeuser Corporation, he 
joined the sales force of Package Products Company in Charlotte, 
resulting in his move to Knoxville in 1964.
  He has spent 34 years in sales and retired recently as national 
accounts

[[Page H5393]]

manager for the Sonoco Corporation, which bought Package Products 3 
years ago.
  Bill is known by his family and friends for his sense of humor, his 
loyalty and his dedication to God, his family, his work and his 
community.
  He has served the Eastminster Presbyterian church in Knoxville as an 
elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, youth fellowship volunteer, 
stewardship and finance committees, always giving his time and talents 
unselfishly.
  Bill and Beth are extremely proud of their family: Linda Hanks 
Kapstein and husband, Dan, who have two sons, Zachary and Jacob, and 
live in Little Compton, Rhode Island;
  William F Hanks, III, his wife Patti and their three children, 
Chelsea, Will IV, and Heath, who reside in Plant City, Florida;
  Wallace Sidney Hanks and his wife, Traci, and daughter, Sidney Beth, 
live in Dalton, Georgia; and
  Lucille Rand Hanks who lives in Alexandria, and has been my office 
manager and has been with me since I first came to the Congress.
  Professional accomplishments by this man include membership in his 
company's Million Dollar Club and Winner's Circle for many years. In 
the Knoxville community, Bill Hanks has devoted many hours to coaching 
youth in city basketball leagues, Boys Club and church leagues, always 
teaching fundamentals and teamwork.
  Helping young people develop high moral standards and good work 
ethics while enjoying sports earned him the Mayor's Merit Award in 1975 
in the field of athletics, for outstanding achievement in service to 
the City of Knoxville.
  Though Bill remains loyal with gifts to his Alma Mater, Furman 
University, he has ``adopted'' the University of Tennessee in 
Knoxville, and is an avid fan and supporter of ``Big Orange'' 
athletics.
  Now in retirement, Bill will continue as a broker in the packaging 
business; but he and Beth will divide their time between Knoxville and 
a home in Fripp Island, South Carolina, and will mainly enjoy spending 
time with their children and grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I can say without hesitation or reservation that this 
country is a better place because of great Americans like Congressman 
Jim Traficant and my friend, Bill Hanks.

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