[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BROMMA PEMBERTON-LINVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 9, 2008

  Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate 99 extraordinary years in the life of Bromma Pemberton-
Linville. Born to a large family in the coal-mining community of Oliver 
Springs, Tennessee, Bromma from an early age set an example for all who 
believe in the values of family, church and a strong community. Bromma 
cared for her six younger siblings through elementary and high school, 
and made certain to attend Sunday church services in addition to Sunday 
night youth fellowship, a Wednesday night prayer meeting, church play 
rehearsals and choir practice.
  After graduating from Oliver Springs High School, Bromma went on to 
Knoxville Business College and set out to build a career. Following a 
period of odd jobs to make ends meet, Bromma finally put her business 
skills to work as a secretary and bookkeeper at the First National Bank 
in Oneida, Tennessee. Throughout what would become a lifetime of 
service to the bank, Bromma worked nearly every possible position 
before becoming the first female officer and director, as well as the 
first senior vice president.
  But Bromma's success at the First National Bank in Oneida never 
interfered with her commitment to family. When her father became ill 
and unable to work, Bromma proudly accepted her role as a breadwinner 
and caretaker for the family. After she had seen to the success of her 
six younger siblings, who married and moved out of their home, Bromma 
continued to live with her parents whom she cared for until they passed 
away years later. Only then did she marry her twenty year suitor, Roy 
Johnson.
  Bromma's commitment to her community continued throughout her life 
and in to today. From her presidency over the Oneida Business and 
Professional Women's Club to representing Scott County at the 
Conference on Consumer Affairs, Bromma was actively involved in making 
the world around her better for future generations. With the help of 
her husband, Bromma even went on to establish the Grover Pemberton 
Agricultural Endowment Fund for the University of Tennessee 
Agricultural Institute.
  Our great country cannot do enough to thank the men and women who 
devote their lives to the betterment of their communities. In these 
difficult times of international and economic turmoil, it is the 
efforts of extraordinary women like Bromma Pemberton-Linville that will 
always help us to move this great country forward.

                          ____________________