[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REMEMBERING MR. CHARLES HAWKINS, NOTED BUSINESSMAN, COMMUNITY LEADER, 
                          NASHVILLE BENEFACTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 2004

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable 
life of Mr. Charles Hawkins of Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Hawkins was a 
beloved figure in our community, recognized for his leadership in the 
business community, his enthusiastic and generous support to so many 
Nashville organizations and his constant willingness to offer a helping 
hand to anyone in need.
  Charlie Hawkins was Nashville through-and-through. You might say it 
was a role in life he was simply born to do. His ancestors first called 
Nashville home in the 1860s, making Charlie, who was born there in 
1932, the fourth generation in his family committed to building a 
greater Nashville for all.
  Whatever Charlie did, he did with passion, loyalty and a commitment 
that was lifelong. He graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1950 
where we was named an all-city athlete in three sports. Years later, he 
would return to serve the school in many ways, including time spent on 
its board of directors. And Charlie's love of MBA went beyond his 
affection for the school itself. It was through MBA that he met the 
love of his life and his wife of 49 years, Lee Ann Allen Hawkins, the 
daughter of Howard Lee Allen, his high school coach.
  From MBA Charlie went to Vanderbilt University and graduated in 1954. 
Charlie followed in the footsteps of his father and played baseball at 
Vanderbilt from 1952 to 1954. He became a star pitcher for the 
Commodores, celebrated as the first Vanderbilt pitcher to earn all-
Southeastern Conference honors. His time on the Vanderbilt baseball 
team was just the beginning of his commitment to the sport, the 
Vanderbilt team and sharing his passion for the game with others. He 
donated $2 million to Vanderbilt for the construction of new stadium 
for the Commodores which opened in 2002. Today, the Charles Hawkins 
Field is enjoyed by Nashville families and the university community 
alike, as well as being recognized as one of the best baseball stadiums 
in the South.
  Charlie Hawkins was a generous financial supporter of the Vanderbilt 
Commodores but it was his generosity of spirit and daily support to the 
individual students on the team that was truly outstanding. He never 
missed a game. He rode on the bus with the team to away games. His 
daughter, Leslie, baked `good luck' cookies for the team before every 
game. And his door at home was always open to any player in need of a 
home cooked meal or a little grandfatherly advice and support. As news 
of his recent battle with cancer became known, this year's Commodores 
rallied to his support. When his illness prevented his joining the team 
for one recent road trip, the team took the bus to Charlie, dropping by 
for a good luck send-off as they headed out of town. Even though he was 
not able to make some of the Commodores' final games this season, 
Charlie was there on the field with his team who had his initials added 
to their baseball caps. Clearly, Charlie inspired his beloved team. The 
Commodores finished the season with its best record ever, winning its 
first NCAA Regional title and its first appearance in an NCAA Super 
Regional.

  Charlie Hawkins touched and helped Nashvillians in many walks of 
life. He founded one of the city's most respected real estate 
development companies, the Charles Hawkins Company. Headquartered in 
downtown Nashville, Charlie and his company were active in bringing new 
growth to the area in recent years. He served on the board of the 
Nashville Red Cross, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Watkins 
Institute, Big Brothers of Nashville, the Junior League of Nashville 
and the Downtown Rotary of Nashville. He also served as President of 
the Nashville Board of Realtors and a member of the Metropolitan Port 
Authority. He was also a charter member of the Woodmont Christian 
Church where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. In 
addition for 20 years, he conducted church services at the Retired 
Teachers Home in his Green Hills neighborhood.
  My hometown lost a very special friend with the recent death of 
Charlie Hawkins at the age of 72. On behalf of the fifth district of 
Tennessee, I send my deepest condolences to Lee Ann Hawkins and to 
their four children, daughters Leslie, Mary, Julia Ann and son Bill. 
Charlie Hawkins' generous and joyful presence will be missed in 
Nashville but his spirit lives on in the many programs and individuals 
he inspired and supported every day.

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