[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1677-H1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING OUTSTANDING CONSTITUENTS FROM TENNESSEE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, we have a wonderful gentleman who was 
a Tennessee resident, citizen and someone we are terribly proud of. His 
name is Alex Haley, and many around the world know of his writings. And 
one of the things that Mr. Haley would often say is ``Find the good and 
praise it''. And that is something that we have more or less adopted in 
Tennessee, when folks do things that should be praised. And today I 
want to recognize some of our outstanding citizens in our State.
  One is Mr. Hubert Seaton of Henderson, Tennessee. And he was 
recognized during the annual Henderson, Tennessee Membership and Awards 
Banquet, and the Chester County Chamber of Commerce named him as their 
2004 citizen of the year. What an outstanding honor for an outstanding 
man who was the first citizen of Chester County to be drafted during 
World War II.
  He devoted himself to serving his country with honor and dignity and 
was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
  In 1960 he was elected to the Chester County Quarterly Court and 
faithfully served his community for 42 years. While presiding as a 
county judge and chairman of the court he continued to demonstrate his 
devotion to the citizens of Chester County, a life well lived, an honor 
well deserved.
  We also honor today Mr. Ed Rufo. He is the recipient of the Army 
Public Service Award, and it is the second highest distinction granted 
to a civilian by the Secretary of the Army.
  As founder and president of Operation Eagle's Nest, Mr. Rufo has 
contributed enormously to providing both financial and moral aid to 
Fort Campbell soldiers and their families.
  This started out as a fund raising endeavor to assist the families of 
soldiers deployed to Iraq. Operation Eagle's Nest rapidly obtained 
support from the Military Affairs Committees of Hopkinsville and Oak 
Grove, Kentucky and Clarksville, Tennessee, which is in my 7th 
Congressional District. To date contributions total more than $250,000. 
It is clear that Eagle's Nest is having a substantial positive impact 
on the lives of our soldiers.
  When our Nation called Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne to 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, they responded with enthusiasm and with 
dedication.
  When Mr. Rufo saw an opportunity to thank the men, women and their 
families, he answered with Operation Eagle's Nest, and we thank him for 
that.
  We have got a couple of educators that are doing great work. Since 
1990 Dr. Ronald Griffeth has dedicated himself to the students and the 
faculty of Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee. He was the 
academy's president and headmaster. And while everyone in our community 
is sad to see him retire, we know that he is leaving a lasting legacy 
in the community. And in recognition of that legacy, the Tennessee 
Association of Independent Schools honored him with the distinguished 
Sawney Webb Award.
  Not only has he helped to lead and expand the academy, he has been 
actively involved in the community with Boys and Girls Clubs and with 
working with young people in so many endeavors.
  Mrs. Pam Stackhouse also works with young people. She has been 
recognized as the Wal-Mart Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award Winner. 
She received a $10,000 education grant to benefit her school, Selmer 
Elementary.
  She has demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm for learning for her 
students, and for more than three decades she has devoted her energy 
and her talent to Selmer students. As a music teacher for the last 8 
years she has given her students appreciation for all things good. The 
Selmer community is truly blessed to have her enriching the lives of 
their children.

[[Page H1678]]

  And Madam Speaker, I rise to wind up talking about our Chester County 
girls basketball team. They have had a tremendous season, and Saturday 
night these young women won the Tennessee AA State Championship.
  We know that great basketball brings small towns together across 
Tennessee, and in Henderson they have been coming together for years to 
watch the Eaglettes hit the hardwood. And while dedicated to their 
team, the fans have been waiting nearly 3 decades to take another shot 
at that title. The wait is over.
  After 27 years the Eaglettes carried home the State championship 
trophy and had three players make the State All tournament team. One 
was the MVP, the other Tennessee's Miss Basketball. Congratulations to 
all of the team members.
  Madam Speaker, we want to say congratulations to all these 
outstanding constituents who allow us to see their good and to praise 
it.

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