[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF KNOX TUCKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to Knox 
Tucker, from the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for his lifelong 
contributions to his community and to his fellow citizens. Mr. Tucker 
committed his life to help whomever he could, whenever he could during 
more than 30 years as a coach and educator in the Fort Worth School 
District.
  Mr. Tucker was born July 9, 1922, in Williamsport, Tenn. He was a 
1939 graduate of Pearl High School in Nashville and served in the Army 
during World War II, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. After the 
war, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Tennessee State 
College. After teaching and coaching in Tennessee, he and his family 
moved to Fort Worth.
  From 1952 to 1984, he was a coach, a teacher or an administrator. He 
is perhaps best known locally for his time coaching the I.M. Terrell 
High School basketball team. Under Coach Tucker, the team beat Prairie 
View to win the Interscholastic League State Championship in 1957.
  He was a teacher, coach and vice principal at Como and Terrell, the 
city's black high schools, until 1971, when he became principal at 
Polytechnic. In 1980, he became principal at O.D. Wyatt. A year later, 
he was promoted into district administration as assistant director for 
high schools. After retiring in 1984, he worked as a Tarrant County 
probation officer for 10 years.
  But he never gave up his habit of attending high school basketball 
games and tracking down former students and co-workers in the stands. 
In 2002, Mr. Tucker was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of 
Fame.
  It was my honor to represent Knox Tucker. I extend my sympathies to 
his family and friends. May the example of this man, whose 
contributions made richer the fabric of our American culture, be 
inspiration to all who seek their dreams and serve their fellow man.

                          ____________________