[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. J. E. HANCOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2004

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge 
Mr. J.E. Hancock, who passed away on March 5, 2004 at age 98. Through 
the course of my career, working in the business world and as a public 
official, rarely have I been so privileged to associate with such an 
extraordinary person who gives unselfishly and wholeheartedly to the 
interests and welfare of other people.
  Born August 4, 1905, in Sherman, Texas, Mr. Hancock married Eileen 
Carruth on June 24, 1928. The couple moved to Lubbock in 1930 where Mr. 
Hancock finished his degree from Texas Tech University. After short 
teaching stints in New Home, Pettit, and O'Donnell, Texas, the couple 
moved back to Lubbock to farm.
  Mr. Hancock was not only a renowned Lubbock inventor, but also one of 
Lubbock Christian University's (LCU) greatest benefactors. A man of 
great optimism and vision, it would not be in excess to say that 
Lubbock Christian University owes a significant part of its present 
status to Mr. Hancock's efforts and contributions. In fact, he is the 
single largest donor in the university's history and had given the 
school more than $10 million over the years.
  In addition to being a large financial contributor, he was elected to 
the board of trustees in February 1967 and served as chairman from 1978 
to 1998. Mr. Hancock's achievement during this period is highlighted by 
the fact that during this period, LCU came into its own as a four-year 
college in 1972. On this vein, Mr. Hancock was largely responsible for 
helping LCU achieve university status in 1987. Moreover, his infectious 
enthusiasm and dynamism proved to be a stimulant that triggered several 
positive changes within the university. As a tribute to their services, 
LCU's College of Liberal Arts is named after Gene and Eileen Hancock.
  As an inventor too, Mr. Hancock was not one to be left behind. 
Looking for a better way to terrace land, Hancock invented the 
Elevating-Terracer. This tool has proven to be a boon to its users and 
has been applied to all sizes and types of earth-moving scraper 
equipment. The Elevating-Terracer was such a success that it lead to 
the establishment of Hancock Manufacturing Co. in Lubbock in 1947. The 
company went on to produce many new and improved scrapers. Now, Mr. 
Hancock holds 18 patents on his machinery designs and more than 15,000 
Hancock scrapers were sold on a global level. Highly acclaimed, his 
designs have been used even in Israel, where the scrapers were used to 
dig the irrigation canal from the Sea of Galilee to the south desert. 
Following a successful business career, Hancock Manufacturing was 
acquired by Clark Equipment Co. in 1966.
  Mr. Hancock is fondly remembered by his community as the multi-
faceted pioneer and philanthropist who helped to make a difference to 
the people and society around him. To dream of helping is not 
difficult, but it is only those with real initiative, passion and 
creativity who actually succeed in becoming an instrument of change. 
Mr. Hancock was among those who succeeded. Anyone would do well to 
emulate his example if they truly desire a life that makes a difference 
and leaves a legacy.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my sincere thanks to Gene 
Hancock. I am truly honored to recognize his accomplishments. He will 
certainly be missed.

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