[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF E.R. (BOB) GREGG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM TURNER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, a 
patriot and leader, a successful businessman, a fellow Texan and a good 
and loyal friend, E.R. (Bob) Gregg, who after many years of dedicated 
service to his community, to his county and to the State of Texas, 
passed away on November 19, 1999.
  Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Capt. E. L. Gregg, and 
his parents, Eldredge and Helena Gregg, Bob Gregg worked diligently and 
tirelessly to help those in need, to strengthen East Texas' business 
community, and to improve our education system. Following graduation 
from Kemper Military Institute, the University of Texas at Austin and 
the Southern Methodist University School of Banking, the Rusk native 
served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and held an officer's 
position with the Texas National Guard.
  Bob's work with various organizations in East Texas and his list of 
contributions are numerous. Bob Gregg was very active in the banking 
community for more than 30 years and served as vice president, 
president and board chairman of Allied Texas Bank of Jacksonville. He 
was a Mason, a Past Potentate of the Sharon Shrine Temple in Tyler, a 
lifetime member of the Jaycees, and a recipient of the Jaycee's ``One 
of the Five Outstanding Young Texans'' award. He was a past chairman of 
the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and was named Jacksonville's 
Citizen of the Year in 1992. Because of his dedication to the value of 
education, he served for five years on the Jacksonville Independent 
School District Board of Trustees and for 18 years on the State Board 
of Education.
  Bob Gregg was a dedicated member of the Jacksonville First United 
Methodist Church and a member and past president of the Jacksonville 
Lions Club. He was a charter member and three term past president of 
the Jacksonville Rodeo Association Board and treasurer of the 
Jacksonsville Unit of the Salvation Army for 45 years. He was a board 
member of the Rusk Industrial Foundation and a member of the Board of 
Trustees of Lon Morris College, which he attended earlier in his life. 
From his post as a member of the Commissioners Court for a decade, Bob 
was a compelling and effective leader for East Texans. He had been 
Cherokee County Commissioner for precinct 1 since 1989 and was a member 
of the East Texas Council of Governments Executive Committee. He was 
also a member of the Region 1 Water Group and a board member of both 
the East Texas Housing Development and Cherokee County Crimestoppers.
  Bob made a positive impact on the lives of many East Texans and 
personified the definition of a true and loyal American who set a high 
standard for us all to live by. He was an outstanding example to his 
family and friends, and has been as asset to the many communities that 
he touched over the years.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere gratitude and the utmost respect that 
I rise today to ask that you join me and our colleagues in honoring the 
selfless service of Bob Gregg, who will be missed by so many people who 
were lucky enough to know him. I would also like to take this 
opportunity to extend my heart-felt condolences to his wife Mary, his 
two sons, and the entire Gregg family. Although Bob is no longer with 
us, his will and drive to make East Texas a better place will continue 
on forever.

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