[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1054-E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A TRIBUTE TO MRS. OPAL LUCAS OF LONDON, KENTUCKY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I use this means to sadly inform 
the House of the passing of Opal Lucas, a great American, woman, and 
friend. She will be remembered as a teacher, mentor, counselor, 
confidante, and inspiration.
  Mrs. Opal Lucas of London, Kentucky passed from this life to eternal 
life at the age of 95 on June 2, 2001.
  Opal was born in 1905 in Jackson County, Kentucky. Her father was a 
farmer, fertilizer salesman, and minister. Her mother spent her life 
raising children. From these humble beginnings, Opal learned a devotion 
to family, God, and her community.
  A devoted wife and mother, Opal saw the best of times and the worst 
of times. Her husband, Fred Lucas, was a former State Senator in 
Kentucky. Her eldest son, Fred Lucas II, joined the navy at the age of 
16 during World War II. After surviving near death experiences, he was 
forever scared by the experiences of war. He second son, James, was 
born paralyzed from the waist down, but Opal and the family never 
allowed this to deny him a full life. James was a volunteer fireman 
with the help and love of family and friends.
  During her life, Opal served her local and national community in 
numerous ways. She began as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. She 
and her husband owned and managed numerous businesses in Laurel County. 
She served as State Governor of the National Federation Woman's Club 
and in many other civic organizations.
  Opal and Fred helped recruit industry into Southeastern Kentucky when 
this area of the state had no industry. They were instrumental in 
proving that these hard-working men and women that labored on the land 
could be excellent workers in industry. They proved their point and 
today the fruits of their labor are multiplied each year.
  Opal was a dedicated Republican, as she served her party in nearly 
every capacity. She served as the National Committee Woman for Kentucky 
to the National Republican Party for a decade. She chaired campaigns 
for successful Congressmen, U.S. Senators, Governors, and numerous 
other offices. She counted as her very close friends former Senators 
John Sherman Cooper and Thurston Morton, and Congressmen Tim Lee 
Carter. I too, relief on Opal for sage advice, wisdom, and friendship.
  Titles partially describe the accomplishments of this lady but they 
do not give full justice. Her rewards were never personal. She enjoyed 
victory but true victory was seen on the faces of families who 
benefited from good government, opportunities to work and provide for 
their families.
  Opal was a unique person that possessed the most amazing ability to 
make everyone feel they were the most important person in her life. She 
radiated self-confidence and total relaxation with the person she was. 
You never saw her caught up in false pretenses or ulterior motives.
  She can be described as a wonderfully calm charming lady speaking in 
soft tones, comforting and encouraging us to do our best--always 
confident in our abilities to accomplish anything we truly desire. She 
had a smile that would warm your heart. She was comfortable with her 
life and her own self-identity and never seemed to have a need for the 
trappings of public adulation.
  Opal was consumed by the spirit of our Lord and it was evident in her 
every action but it was not something she has to speak of or point to 
like a plaque of recognition hanging on the wall. She was a Christian 
lady that always held her belief in God close to the heart. When you 
looked at her, you saw the Spirit of God within her.
  There are individuals that pass through life that contribute more 
than can be measured and are truly the ones who epitomize all that

[[Page E1055]]

is good within our society and nation. Opal Lucas will be missed, but 
she surely made her community, Kentucky, and this nation a better place 
in which to live.

                          ____________________