[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND SPIRIT OF JOHNNY HAYES

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I, along with my colleague 
Mr. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, rise today to honor the life of Johnny 
H. Hayes, a lifelong community leader and a public servant of the 
people of Tennessee and the United States. Johnny was a friend to many. 
Tragically, he passed away last week on his farm in Sumner County, 
Tennessee after a courageous battle with cancer.
  A graduate of Tennessee Technological University in 1961, Johnny 
moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee where he built a successful 
insurance business. He later moved to the Sideview Community. Always 
keeping himself busy, Johnny operated a livestock operation, breeding 
and raising grand champion red Angus cattle.
  Johnny served in the cabinet of Governor Ned McWherter and was a 
trusted advisor to former Vice President Al Gore. Johnny also was a 
close friend and loyal counselor of Phil Bredesen, the current governor 
of Tennessee.
  In 1993, Johnny was nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve on 
the board of directors for the Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA. His 
calm nature, good humor, and ability to take on challenging issues 
helped strengthen TVA's relationships in the seven-state region, and 
his work left a lasting legacy.
  For Johnny, any person in need was a worthy cause. As a member of the 
Bethpage United Methodist Church, Johnny served on the Administrative 
Board and as Sunday School Superintendent for 18 years. He used his 
fundraising skills to finance a new playground and chapel, and was 
always there to address the needs of his neighbors.
  Despite all of his success in business and politics, Johnny always 
remained humble and loyal to his friends and family. Johnny Hayes will 
be sorely missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him. We 
close by offering our deepest condolences to his wife Mary Howard Reese 
Hayes; three children, Craig, Amy, and Mary Kate; and three 
grandchildren, Austin, Ashley, and Miller.




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