[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REMEMBERING MRS. MARCELLE WILDER, DEVOTED WIFE AND GENEROUS COMMUNITY 
                               SUPPORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Tanner and I rise today to celebrate the 
life of Mrs. John Wilder of Tennessee.
  Mrs. Wilder was recognized across the state for her devotion to her 
husband, Lt. Gov. John Wilder, to her church and to the people of 
Tennessee. With the passing of Marcelle Ann Morton-Wilder on June 7th, 
Tennessee lost a passionate and generous spirit whose lifelong 
commitment to supporting her state, her community and her family 
inspired so many others.
  Marcelle Wilder and John Wilder's partnership was itself an 
inspiration for all those who knew them. Married for 62 years, Marcelle 
Wilder met her husband-to-be as a young student in Fayette County. 
Following his election to the Tennessee Senate in 1958, and then to Lt. 
Governor in 1971, Marcelle joined her husband in working on behalf of 
all Tennesseans. She made frequent trips to Nashville to be at her 
husband's side as he led the Tennessee legislature. At the same time, 
she gave generously of her time and energy to many community 
organizations. She was a co-founder of the Tennessee Waltz 
Organization, a fund-raiser for the Tennessee State Museum. She served 
on the Southern Legislative Conference Ladies Committee and the 
National Conference Ladies Committee for many years. In addition, she 
was a visible and energetic member of the Tennessee Bicentennial 
Committee in 1996. She also was an active member of her church, the 
Braden United Methodist Church, and was recognized for her work in 
researching and writing the history of the church.
  On behalf of all Tennesseans, I offer my deep condolences to Lt. Gov. 
Wilder, their two sons, four grandchildren and five great-
grandchildren. Their loss is one that all Tennesseans share as we pause 
to remember the many gifts Mrs. Wilder shared with all of us during her 
lifetime.

                          ____________________