[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO TOM TIPPY, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
important constituent, a fine community and business leader, and a 
close personal friend, Mr. Tom Tippy, Sr.
  Tom, who passed away back on March 12th following a long illness, 
will be sorely missed by his family and many friends, as well as 
numerous associates throughout the First District of Alabama.
  Tom Tippy's relationship with the people of South Alabama began over 
twenty-five years ago when, as an executive with Parsons & Whittemore, 
he came to the area as part of the delegation sent by the Landegger 
family to locate a site for the construction of a new pulp and paper 
facility.
  This mill, which became known as Alabama River Pulp, grew to employ 
hundreds of men and women from Monroe County and the surrounding area, 
and it is a testament to the hard work of the entire Parsons & 
Whittemore corporate family, as well as the tremendous dedication and 
perseverance displayed by Tom Tippy and his staff.
  Prior to entering the world of business, Tom was a distinguished 
veteran of the United States Army Air Corps and saw a great deal of 
service in the Pacific Theater of operations. While serving as a gunner 
with the crew of a B-24 Liberator in the 5th Army Air Corps, and later 
as a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a crew assigned to the 
90th Bomber Group, Tom exhibited the same qualities of leadership, 
professionalism and dedication to his crew mates and his nation that he 
displayed repeatedly throughout his life. I was saddened, but 
nonetheless honored, to have an American flag flown over this very 
building, a shrine to democracy throughout the world, which was draped 
over Tom's casket and presented to his family at his burial.
  Perhaps one of the finest comments on Tom's life was offered by his 
dear friend and mine, Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs, when 
he said, ``He wasn't happy unless he was present with the employees of 
that company. They were a part of his family. If they needed him, he 
wanted to be there for him. And, for the leadership he gave to them, 
they gave him their support in return. For he was a people's man and he 
was a working man's executive.''
  Indeed he was.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer this memorial tribute to Tom Tippy with the 
belief that his legacy of goodness, of sound decisions and of always 
being a man of his word, will continue in perpetuity. Truly, he lived 
his life with an enthusiasm toward helping others and in so doing, I 
believe he inspired the rest of us to try to do a little better 
ourselves as we approach our fellow man.
  Tom is survived by his lovely wife, Rita; three sons, Tommy Tippy, 
Jr., Bill Tippy and Richard Tippy; one stepdaughter, Melanie Lee Ford; 
eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. My condolences go out 
to each of them.

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