[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E555-E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ANNA BELLE CLEMENT O'BRIEN PRESENTED WITH 2009 HUMANITARIAN LEADERSHIP 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2009

  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I could not think of a more 
fitting person to receive the Frank G. Clement 2009 Humanitarian 
Leadership Award. Miss Anna Belle, a well known political figure in 
Tennessee, has long been an advocate for Tennessee's children and 
working families living in the Upper Cumberland region.
  Anna Belle Clement O'Brien was reared and schooled in the values and 
lessons of life west of Nashville in Dickson, Tennessee, before 
embarking on a path that led her through the Office of Price 
Administration, the Governor's office, the Tennessee House of 
Representatives and the Tennessee Senate.
  Known for her great storytelling abilities, wonderful sense of humor, 
quick wit, warm smile, it's hard not to be comfortable around Miss Anna 
Belle. Over the years I have learned much about what molded her into 
the role model and leader she has been.
  Armed with a great memory, you will quickly learn through Miss Anna 
Belle's stories that she was raised in an environment where service to 
your neighbor is not only spoken, but actually done. The majority of us 
lucky enough to serve the public believe in the power of a good and 
responsive government. Miss Anna Belle articulates those beliefs well 
by saying, ``Politics is a beautiful word to me. . . . I truly believe 
politics make handicap children walk and the mentally ill have a better 
life. Politics builds roads and makes education available for all.''
  Those words couldn't ring more true. Miss Anna Belle, the first woman 
to ever serve as a committee chair, brought common sense and a tireless 
work ethic to the job and a love of the people she served.
  I read an interview she gave once in a local newspaper where she 
said, ``I love this area we moved to over 40 years ago. No thought was 
given by either of us to run for public office before we moved here. It 
wasn't planned this way, but it has been a most exciting life. I am 
grateful to the people in the community for allowing me to serve for 
all those years.'' Well, Miss Anna Belle, I along with the countless 
Tennesseans you have helped over the years, thank you for your tireless 
leadership in working to make sure future generations have a better 
quality of life. Congratulations for being recognized for your hard 
work. It is well earned and most deserved.

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