[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. JAMES POTTS, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James Potts, who 
has dedicated his life to educating those around him. He is now 
celebrating an extraordinary milestone, his 50th year of teaching. Much 
of that time has been spent teaching at Bethel College in McKenzie, 
Tennessee.
  Jim served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, 
then took the opportunities available to him through the G.I. Bill to 
earn his degree. In 1953, Jim began his teaching career at Grayville 
High School in Illinois, where he taught until 1955.
  In the fall of 1955, Jim enrolled in Peabody College, now part of 
Vanderbilt University, where he earned his Ph.D., while also teaching 
at Belmont University in Nashville. After finishing his course work in 
1957, Jim joined the faculty at Eastern Kentucky State University. 
After leaving Kentucky in 1961, Jim joined the staff at the University 
of Virginia, where he taught until 1964.
  That year, Jim married his wife Carolyn and, realizing the difference 
he could make at a smaller institution, began his tenure at Bethel 
College. Having taught there for almost 40 years now, Jim has the 
longest continuous service record among Bethel faculty members. He is 
greatly admired by his colleagues and current and former students for 
his skillful teaching and his commitment to education and his 
dedication to Bethel College. Jim has taught many courses at Bethel 
College, but he is perhaps most admired for his dedication to history, 
specifically his courses in History of the South, American Economic 
History and American Political Parties.
  Fifty years is an incredible milestone for any teacher to reach, but 
Jim is not content to end his notable career there. He plans to teach 
as long as he is able, and I am confident he will continue to touch the 
lives of many students, as he has done for five decades.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring an exceptional educator 
and an outstanding citizen, Dr. James Potts.

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