[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ANNE RAGSDALE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2008

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, as I come to the floor today to speak, 
friends and colleagues of Anne Ragsdale are gathering in Nashville to 
celebrate her life and her many contributions to her city and to her 
country. Anne Ragsdale was an extraordinary woman who chose to spend 
her life encouraging others and inspiring those of us who knew her to 
give selflessly of our time and talents. Anne Ragsdale believed in this 
great nation and its goodness and felt that every child who called 
America home should be able to dream big dreams and have those dreams 
come true. She embodied the spirit of philanthropy, never giving for 
any reason other than knowing that her gifts would make a positive 
difference in the lives of others. She did not focus on herself. She 
focused on the people around her: her family, her friends, her 
charitable causes, and her church. As a matter of fact, if she were 
standing here on this floor with me today, she would probably tell me 
to use the time focusing on a cause for human good and not to use the 
time talking about her. Those of us who called her our friend loved 
this trait in Anne.
  Anne held a deep and abiding faith and was an active member of First 
Southern Methodist Church of Nashville and was a member of St. Paul 
Southern Methodist Church for 25 years. In the community, her true 
passion involved helping children in need and providing them with 
education in a safe and loving environment. She and her husband, Dick, 
have been wonderful supporters of scholarships and educational 
opportunities for children at schools throughout Tennessee.
  She was a small businesswoman, homemaker, and activist for many 
charitable causes. She was also co-founder and board member of 
Birthright of Nashville, YMCA Community Action Programs and East 
Academy. She served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army, 
Nashville for 15 years and also on the board of Alive Hospice. She was 
a founding member of the Nashville Symphony's Schermerhorn Symphony 
Center. She especially enjoyed serving as the costume designer for the 
Nashville Children's Theatre.
  Anne Ragsdale will be missed. Her participation and support will be 
missed by the schools, churches and organizations to which she provided 
leadership and support. She will be missed by her friends who leaned on 
her for support and comfort. She will be missed by the family she 
adored and cherished.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in appreciation of a 
life well lived.

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