[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JERRY ``ACE'' MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2003

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jerry ``Ace'' 
Miller, the long-time supervisor of boxing for the City of Knoxville, 
Tennessee, in my District.
  Ace Miller is one of the most respected people in East Tennessee. He 
is part of a very influential group in our area called the ``Burlington 
Boys,'' and we share many mutual friends.
  Ace Miller has devoted his life to underprivileged young people by 
inspiring them to be the best that they can be no matter what they have 
to overcome in life. He has made a difference in the lives of many 
young men around the region.
  Ace is widely regarded as a boxing expert all over the country and 
has made many friends around the Nation. He has long been associated 
with the Golden Gloves Charities and will continue to be the general 
manager of this great organization after his retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, Jerry ``Ace'' Miller is a fine American who has touched 
the lives of countless young people. His dedication to the sport of 
boxing serves as an example for people all over our country. This 
Nation would be a much better place if there were more people here like 
Ace Miller.
  I would like to congratulate Ace Miller on a tremendous career, and I 
urge all of my colleagues and other readers of the Record to read the 
fine article about him that was published in the Knoxville News-
Sentinel.

           [From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mar. 20, 2003]

         Ace Miller Retires as Knoxville's Supervisor of Boxing

                          (By Chuck Cavalaris)

       Ace Miller wanted to try and keep news of his retirement 
     quiet.
       You might as well ask someone to bang a drum softly--for 33 
     years.
       It just isn't going to happen.
       Miller retired as the City of Knoxville's supervisor of 
     boxing, effective Feb. 27. He survived everything from three 
     heart attacks in a matter of hours in April 1999 to floods 
     and personal threat at the gym. Miller was hired in 1970 by 
     former mayor Kyle Testerman and will continue to be the 
     general manager of Golden Gloves Charities.
       ``This is just a particular time in my life when I am not 
     so sure what the future holds,'' said Miller, who is known as 
     ``The Colonel'' and will be 64 on March 31. ``We've had 
     disasters galore, but the greatest tragedy is losing some of 
     the great volunteers who have been a part of this program.''
       It was a huge loss when his sister-in-law, Shirley Eckard, 
     lost a battle with cancer in the 1980s. Bobby Mills died 
     several years earlier. Cotton Jackson will never be replaced. 
     Nor will Skinny Miller, Don Marshall or former State Rep. Ted 
     Ray Miller, who was Ace's big brother. Others come to mind, 
     such as Jim Brown, Norman Anderson and Raleigh Johnson.
       On the other hand, someone like Stan Hamilton remains a 
     vital part of a model program. He just happens to be one of 
     the most-respected boxing referees in the world. Dr. Robert 
     Whittle has been a Hall of Fame volunteer, working alongside 
     Con Hunley, Gene Limbaugh, Glenn Allen, Max Witt and Joyce 
     Spraker. Longtime City Council members Jack Sharpe and Larry 
     Cox have provided advice, along with friendship.
       ``No one person could possibly accomplish what we have 
     accomplished,'' said Miller, whose group raises almost 
     $100,000 a year. ``It takes a team effort and I am fortunate 
     to have a family who has been a big part of my passion for 
     doing this.''
       The team he was referring to includes assistant coach Steve 
     Whitt, Regina Sams Odom, Tracy Miller Davis, Dusty Miller 
     Graves, Jerry Miller, Ellen Luttrell and, of course, his wife 
     Lady Di, or Dianna the Great.
       ``My time with the city has ended,'' Miller said, ``but my 
     time in the gym is not over. The floor needs to be mopped. 
     Then somebody has to sweep it.''

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