[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF STEVE KIRKHAM

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                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
Steve Kirkham of Kingston, Tennessee for his leadership and involvement 
in his community.
  Steve is a known fixture in his home county of Roane County, 
Tennessee and is fast becoming an integral member of many other 
communities due to his work in promoting economic development in East 
Tennessee.
  Kirkham, owner and chief executive officer of Rocky Top Markets, is a 
man who exhibits traits that have helped make America what is is: hard 
working, compassionate, and exemplifies preseverance and generosity. If 
you ask him how he got to be where he is he will tell you, ``by 
grinding it out, having good employees, and just plain luck.''
  Working for the Harriman Oil Company in the mid-70's Kirkham 
suggested to the owners of the company that they should join the 
convenience store craze. They did, and Rocky Top Market was born in 
June 1980 with the first opening.
  Since 1980, Rocky Top Markets has grown to a chain of 38 and has 
plans for continued growth in Tennessee and Northern Georgia. Having 
purchased Rocky Top Markets in 1998, it is now one of the largest 
retail convenience stores in East Tennessee employing almost 400 
people.
  A long standing member of the business community Steve has been a 
member of the Tennessee Oil Marketers Board, Tennessee Grocers and 
Convenience Store Association Board, and the Shell Jobber Council. He 
has served as Chair of the Roane State Foundation and the Community 
Development Council. As chairman of the CDC he helped form and fund the 
Roane Alliance. The Alliance is an effort to bring together the 
chamber, tourism and industrial development groups in Roane County for 
a unified effort in promoting responsible growth. He is currently 
serving as chairman of the Roane County Industrial Development Board.
  If not working or golfing Steve is with his family. There is an 
understanding of the high regard he has for family for those who know 
him in and outside of work. He is married to Teresa Kirkham and has 
three daughters: Angie, Stephanie, and Christie. He is also the proud 
grandparent of Tyler, Tanner, and Ryley.

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