[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING MR. TOM STUBBS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I now 
honor the life of a great man and friend of Colorado, Tom Stubbs. 
Tragically, Tom passed away earlier this month. As family and friends 
remember Tom, I would like to take this brief moment to pay tribute to 
a man whose life touched many. Clearly, he is deserving of the 
recognition, praise and remembrance of this body.
  Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Tom can attest to the 
irrepressible zeal for life that he constantly exuded. As a recent 
story in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel described it, ``Tom 
displayed a passion and relentless dedication for life's adventures.'' 
An apt description for a man who lived his life to the fullest each and 
every day.
  An avid outdoor enthusiast, Tom was an accomplished artist who made 
his living selling paintings of natural landscapes, predominantly from 
southwestern Colorado and Arizona. If you appreciate artistic scenes 
from the American West, Tom's works are truly a site to behold. One 
such work was selected as a finalist in the ``Arts for the Parks'' 
exhibition. The piece was on display around the country in 1992. In 
addition to selling his own works, Tom taught Figure Drawing and 
Advanced and Pastel Drawing on and off at Mesa State College for about 
a decade.
  A Flint, Michigan native who lived in Grand Junction for the better 
part of 30 years, Tom expressed his love for the outdoors in many ways 
other than painting. According to the Daily Sentinel, Tom was a ``local 
legend in mountain running circles,'' who was also a world class 
climber. He was also a talented bicycle racer, skier, swimmer, and 
surfer. Socially, Tom was part of a close-knit group of friends who 
spent a great deal of their personal time experiencing the natural 
marvels of Colorado and beyond. Tom had unique insight into what a 
wonderful place the American West is.
  Although Tom's life came to an end all too suddenly, his memory will 
long endure. Survived by his parents, Nancy and Bill, his brothers, 
Mike, Tim and Matthew, his sisters, Kathy Ziola, Karen Stubbs and Laura 
Stubbs, and countless friends, including my friend Christopher 
Tomlinson, Tom's life will not soon be forgotten by those fortunate 
enough to have known him. And what a memorable life it was.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the Grand Junction community has lost a 
wonderful friend. Though he's gone, Tom Stubbs will always hold a 
special place in all of our hearts.

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