[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 155 (Thursday, October 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING ROBERT SIMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of an American 
veteran, a tireless public servant, an outstanding citizen and a dear 
friend, Mr. Robert Bell Sims. Bob will be laid to rest next month at 
Arlington National Cemetery.
  During Bob's long and distinguished career in the United States Navy, 
he served as a communications officer under two Secretaries of the 
Navy, then as the Deputy Chief of Information for the Department of the 
Navy. He also served on the National Security Council and the National 
Defense University.
  Bob retired from the Navy in 1984 at the rank of Captain but did not 
end his service to our nation's defense. He served in the White House 
as Deputy Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs and was later nominated 
and confirmed to the post of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public 
Affairs.
  In 1987, Bob turned to his background in magazine and newspaper 
publishing, when he began fourteen years of service at the National 
Geographic Society. For thirty years, he was the owner and publisher of 
The Crockett Times. The work of his family and staff at the newspaper 
has long been important to Bob's hometown of Alamo, Tennessee, and 
indeed to all of us in Crockett County.
  Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia, four children and seven 
grandchildren. My wife, Betty Ann, and I have long cherished our 
friendship with Bob and Pat Sims and are greatly saddened by Bob's 
passing. He will be missed. We know, however, that the legacy he leaves 
behind will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, please join with me in honoring the long service, 
dedication and friendship of Bob Sims.

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