[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE OF TOMMY SANFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 20, 2004

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Tommy Sanford for 
his 22 years of service as the assessor of property in Rutherford 
County, Tennessee. Tommy was first elected in 1982, and since then, he 
has never had an opponent. But he has decided to retire from that 
position at the end of his current term.
  During Tommy's tenure, the number of property parcels in the county 
has more than doubled, and the appraised value of all county property 
has increased by more than $10 billion. To keep up with all the work 
fueled by the county's phenomenal population growth, Tommy's staff has 
grown from 8 to 33 employees. And he is quick to give his employees 
credit for the success of his office.
  Tommy also organized and supervised the county's reappraisal 
department and oversaw the implementation of the county's new digitized 
mapping system. A progressive and dedicated public servant who strives 
to treat all Rutherford County property owners fairly, he has received 
more than 40 awards, including the 1989-90 Tennessee's Outstanding 
County Official.
  His unflinching dedication and tireless service to the county will be 
sorely missed. I congratulate Tommy on his outstanding career in public 
service and wish him well in his future endeavors.

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