[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MR. ROBERT SIDNEY PHELAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Robert Sidney Phelan, 
a fine public servant who has dedicated himself to the people of 
Tennessee throughout his life as a loyal citizen to our community.
  Robert attended Peabody High School in Trenton, Tennessee, where he 
excelled in both basketball and football. Graduating in 1952, he 
received a football scholarship at the University of Tennessee in 
Knoxville.
  Dedicated to his family, Robert cut his college years short to return 
home and run the family business, an automobile dealership he ran for 
50 years. In 1987, he received the ``Quality Care Award,'' the highest 
award the Ford Motor Company bestows on a dealer.
  Robert married Linda Gail Powell in 1958. They are the proud parents 
of Robert Sidney Phelan, Jr., Paul Edmund Phelan, and Mary LeAnn 
Phelan. Robert and his wife have three grandchildren and two step-
grandchildren.
  In 1963, Robert became the acting Postmaster while continuing to run 
his auto dealership. He also served in the Tennessee National Guard, 
from which he retired as a First Lieutenant.
  Robert has long been active in helping our community. With the help 
of U.S. Senator Jim Sasser, Robert was instrumental in establishing a 
new National Guard Armory in 1991. He was Exalted Ruler of the Trenton 
Elks Lodge. As a fundraiser for the lodge, Robert Started Walking Horse 
shows, which became known as one of the best shows in West Tennessee. 
Robert aided the lodge in buying land and building their now existing 
lodge. Robert served as President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce 
and he also won their prestigious Citizen of the Year Award. He was 
also a member of the Trenton Rotary Club.
  He served as a member of the Gibson County Election Commission for 36 
years, devoting many of those years as Chairman. He has served on the 
board of Trenton Housing Authority for 34 years. He helped in forming 
the Pinecrest Country Club and served on that board, as well. He helped 
in forming the Trenton Special School District, where years later he 
helped replace the aging school building with a new high school. 
Believing that Gibson County could support a satellite community 
college, Robert was instrumental in raising money to fund Dyersburg 
State Community College in Trenton. It is obvious that Robert Phelan 
gives 100 percent of himself into everything asked of him for the 
people of Gibson County and the State of Tennessee.
  Robert has also served many years on the Trenton Industrial Board. 
Robert served on the board of Citizen State Bank, spending some of that 
tenure as Chairman. Robert worked diligently to form Citizen City and 
County Bank, which opened in 1997. Robert now serves as Chairman of the 
Board.
  Throughout his life, Robert has always devoted hard work to the 
Democratic Party on a local and statewide level. In 1974 Robert was 
appointed Honorary Sergeant At Arms of the Tennessee Senate. In 1975 
was the Colonel Aide de Camp on the Governor's staff and a 1976 member 
of the West Tennessee Democratic Caucus. He worked for such statesmen 
as Congressman Robert ``Fats'' Everett, Congressman Ed Jones, Senator 
Jim Sasser and Senator and Vice President Al Gore. He also worked for 
Tennessee Governors Frank Clement, Bufford Ellington, Ray Blanton, Ned 
McWhether and Phil Bredsen. Robert has also worked for members of the 
Tennessee General Assembly, including his son, Paul Phelan, who served 
for 10 years as a state representative.
  Mr. Speaker, please join Robert's friends, family and me as we 
recognize his dedication and service to our community.

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