[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING SHIRLENE MERCER FOR HER LONG SERVICE TO HER STATE AND COUNTRY

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                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear friend, 
Mrs. Shirlene Mercer, a long-time community leader, teacher and role 
model. While I know she will continue to play an important role in our 
community, Shirlene is retiring after serving the 8th Congressional 
district for 20 years.
  Shirlene has always worked to serve the community above herself. She 
was a teacher for 24 years in Hardeman County, TN, before joining our 
staff in 1989 as Director of District Services, a position through 
which she has helped countless Tennesseans.
  Shirlene has also helped many West Tennesseans through her tireless 
dedication to fighting crime in our area by initiating regular anti-
crime marches for residents of Madison County, Tennessee, to make clear 
their intention to keep our neighborhoods safe for our families. I have 
been honored to be part of these marches over the years, as have many 
other local, state and national leaders, including Vice President Al 
Gore. Shirlene's work gained national attention and helped highlight 
the problems of crime in our area and in many communities like it 
across our state and country.
  Both Vice President Gore and I have been fortunate to receive 
Shirlene's guidance over the years, as have many other leaders, 
including Governor Phil Bredesen, Governor Ned McWherter, Senator Jim 
Sasser, Congressman Harold Ford, Sr., Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., and 
many members of the Tennessee General Assembly. Her counsel on issues 
of importance to Tennesseans has always been helpful to those who seek 
to better serve their communities.
  Shirlene is a graduate of Merry High School and Lane College, both in 
Jackson, TN, and she did graduate work at the University of Memphis and 
Austin Peay State University. She is married to Luther, a Madison 
County Commissioner, and they have two grown children, Luther Mercer, 
Jr., and Tina Mercer. Both are following in their mother's footsteps 
and proving to be strong leaders in their communities.
  Madam Speaker, I wish you could see Shirlene's office walls in our 
Jackson, TN, district office. They are filled, floor to ceiling, with 
awards and commendations she has earned over the years for her service 
and leadership. Included in these many awards are multiple recognitions 
from the NAACP, the Tennessee Education Association's ``Humanitarian 
Award'' and the FBI's ``Director's Community Leadership Award,'' just 
to name a few of the very long list.
  I know that even as Shirlene begins her retirement from Congressional 
service, she will remain active in our community. I am sure she will 
continue to help West Tennesseans and will remain a leader in the 
Tennessee Democratic Party. Many of us will still seek her counsel and 
friendship.
  Madam Speaker, I hope that you and our colleagues will join Betty Ann 
and me in congratulating Shirlene on her retirement, expressing deep 
gratitude and admiration for her long career of public service and 
wishing her all the best as she works in new ways to help those in our 
community.

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