[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 161 (Tuesday, November 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MEMORIALIZING MAYOR BILL MANNING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2001

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the late Bill 
Manning, a decorated war hero, a faithful public servant and my friend.
  A California native who settled in Tennessee with his wife Jane, Mr. 
Manning served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was wounded both times. 
During his second tour in 1968, he lost both his left arm and right 
hand as a result of a rocket grenade attack. Mr. Manning had a 
prosthetic left arm and shoulder, and he designed and patented the 
Accra Hook to replace his right hand so he could maintain its 
functionality. Those disabilities did not stop what would become a long 
list of great achievements.
  When he returned from Vietnam, Mr. Manning was elected Recorder in 
Gibson County, Tennessee, and later, Governor Ned McWherter appointed 
him state Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs. During that time, Mr. 
manning played an important role in the construction of three 
retirement homes for veterans and three cemeteries for veterans in 
Tennessee. The West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery and the state veterans 
home in Humboldt are named in his honor.
  In 1999, Mr. Manning was first elected mayor of Bradford, Tennessee, 
and has been credited with reinvigorating community spirit in that 
town. He was elected to his second term in that position in May 2001.
  I am honored to have worked alongside Bill Manning, who is truly an 
American hero. His spirit and determination allowed him to overcome his 
physical obstacles and become a leader whose good work still benefits 
the people of Bradford, Gibson County and the state of Tennessee. We 
have lost an amazing man, a courageous leader and a dear friend. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me today in recognizing 
my friend, Mr. Bill Manning.

                          ____________________