[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO NORMAN W. JETER OF HAYS, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute 
to Mr. Norman Jeter on his 90th birthday.
  There are few in my hometown that do not know Mr. Jeter. He came to 
Hays, Kansas 65 years ago, in the midst of the Great Depression, after 
graduating from the University of Kansas School of Law. Despite the 
difficulty of the times, he boarded the train for Hays with the hope 
that the western Kansas community would someday be a great town. 
Indeed, Hays grew into a thriving community, the home of an excellent 
university, and the commercial center of northwest Kansas. Along the 
way, Hays residents benefitted from the personal and professional 
advice of Norman Jeter.
  Over the years, Mr. Jeter became a leading member of the Kansas legal 
community, representing small businesses, independent oil and gas 
producers, and farmers and ranchers. He was also elected Ellis County 
attorney in 1938 and held the position for many years. His dedication 
to his profession and his knowledge of the law are respected throughout 
the State. He is the kind of elder statesman that every profession 
needs.
  I am fortunate to have had the pleasure of practicing law with Mr. 
Jeter. As a young attorney, I quickly came to admire his keen mind, 
integrity and dignity. Working with Mr. Jeter taught me a great deal 
about the practice of law, but even more about being a good person. I 
know that I am a better for having known and worked with him.
  Throughout his lifetime, Norman Jeter has worked to improve the 
quality of life in his hometown and state. The residents of Hays, 
Kansas have access to first-rate medical treatment and facilities due 
in no small part to the leadership of Norman Jeter. For nearly 60 
years, he has served on the board of directors of Hays hospitals, much 
of that time as chairman. During his tenure he saw the combination of 
two local hospitals to create a regional medical center with greatly 
expanded services and quality of care. He continues to serve on the 
Board of the Hays Regional Medical Center, working to provide the 
residents of Northwest Kansas with progressively better healthcare.
  Mr. Jeter's contributions to Kansas education are no less notable. He 
worked hard to improve Hays schools as a member of the school board, 
and later worked just as hard to improve the higher education system in 
Kansas as a member and chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents.
  He has been recognized repeatedly for a lifetime of distinguished 
public service. He is a recipient of the Fort Hays State University 
Distinguished Service Award, as well as the Kansas School of Law 
Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Jeter is a member of the Hays Chamber 
of Commerce Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Governor's Art Award, and 
has been presented with the Albert Einstein Medal of Peace. In 
addition, the Hays Medical Center bestows an honor that bears his name, 
the Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award.
  Most important to Norman Jeter is his family. He and his wife Ann 
have instilled in their children Margaret, John, Joe, and Bill the same 
values with which they have lived their lives. Their children have all 
gone on to lead successful careers in their given field. John is the 
chief executive officer of Hays Medical Center. Margaret is an attorney 
in Kansas City, Missouri, while Joe and Bill practice law with their 
father.
  Norman Jeter has led a truly remarkable life, serving his community 
as he has lived--with distinction, intelligence, and honor. Norman 
Jeter is proof that the practice of the law can still be an honorable 
profession and that service to one's community can still make a 
difference. I would ask that my colleagues join me today in paying 
tribute to Norman Jeter on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

                          ____________________