[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 9, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H1026-H1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HAVIS HESTER

  (Mr. DICKEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity today to 
honor a public servant in Pine Bluff, Arkansas by the name of Havis 
Hester for his years of hard work and commitment, who has given himself 
to the citizens of Jefferson County, Arkansas.
  Havis was born on April 29, 1933 on the porch of a one-room house in 
south Arkansas. From an early age, he always felt a need to heal the 
physical pain of others.
  Because his family was poor, he could never afford to attend medical 
school. Instead, at the age of 16, Havis became an orderly at our Davis 
Hospital. Over

[[Page H1027]]

the next 20 years, Havis did what he could to relieve the physical pain 
of patients. He did this work as a ministry, and with such good humor 
and professionalism that he earned a promotion.
  In 1970, Havis ran unopposed as coroner of Jefferson County. Building 
on his desire to mitigate the physical pain of patients, he sought to 
soothe the emotional pain of those left behind. He also fought to end 
drug abuse by helping to start the Drug-Free Jamboree.
  Now, after his 28 years of heart felt public service and compassion, 
I want to personally thank Havis for sharing his light and goodness 
with the people of Jefferson County, Arkansas.

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