[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO BILL AND BETH HANKS

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                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bill and Beth 
Hanks on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary, which they 
will celebrate June 15.
  The story of Beth Ballentine Hanks and William ``Bill'' Franklin 
Hanks is one of love at first sight and the American Dream. Beth grew 
up in South Carolina and Bill grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 
couple met while attending Furman University in Greenville, South 
Carolina.
  At Furman, Bill, a sophomore at the time, spotted Beth, a freshman, 
waiting in line for the freshman orientation tea. He knew she was the 
one. Bill and his fraternity brothers showed up at the freshman dance 
to see Beth. He had his friends continually cut in on Beth and her date 
so that they never had the opportunity to dance together. Eventually, 
her date got mad and left. This was when Bill made his move. Bill and 
Beth were married on June 15, 1957 in Beth's hometown of Walterboro, 
SC. Today, the couple splits their time between homes in Knoxville, TN 
and Fripp Island, SC. They enjoy attending UT football and basketball 
games and spending time with friends and family. The Hanks have 4 grown 
children, Linda, William, Wallace, and Lucille, and 10 grandchildren. 
After 50 years, Bill and Beth are very supportive of one another and 
still do their daily devotion together before they go to bed, no matter 
how late or how tired they may be. Madam Speaker, in closing, I am 
pleased to honor Bill and Beth's Golden Anniversary and urge my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating this very special milestone.

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