[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 67 (Monday, May 4, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5064-S5065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN A. GARRETT

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to John A. 
Garrett, an honorable Alabamian and a good friend of mine. On Sunday, 
May 10, 2009, John A. will celebrate his 100th birthday.
  John A. was born in 1909 in Bay Minnette, AL. He graduated from 
Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University, in 1936, 
the same year that he married the love of his life, Katherine Virginia 
Stowers, at the Snowdoun United Methodist Church in Montgomery. 
Together, they have two daughters, Kitty Walter Dawson and Mary John, a 
son-in-law Sim Byrd, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
  Most people in Alabama know John A. for his many contributions to 
Alabama's agriculture industry. During the 1950s, he served as the 
State director of commodity services for the Alabama Farm Bureau. 
Later, he would go on to own and operate Cherokee Builders, an 
industrial and commercial construction business.
  In 1969, he was appointed by President Nixon to serve as the director 
of the Alabama Farmer's Home Administration, a position he would hold 
until 1977. In the early 1970s, John A. became a nationally recognized 
leader on agricultural and water issues. Later, at the age of 68, John 
A. established the Alabama Rural Water Association, an organization of 
which he served as executive director for 17 years.
  An avid leader, John A. is the recipient of many honors and awards. 
In 1970, John A. was designated an Honorary State Farmer by the Future 
Farmers of America. Two years later, he relieved the ACTION Federal 
Employee Distinguished Voluntary Service Award for his extraordinary 
volunteer service. In 1985, Auburn University honored John A. for his 
outstanding services on the Montgomery County Auburn Committee. He was 
named Alabama Arthritis Foundation Humanitarian of the Year in 1989 and 
was inducted into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 1991.

[[Page S5065]]

  John A. is also known for his wit and wisdom. In addition to 
authoring numerous poems, John A. penned the secrets to a wonderful 
life: a positive attitude and thinking, clean living, and ``Toddy 
Time'' every afternoon. Indeed, Congress should live by his rules.
  Today, John A. remains very active in his community. He attends the 
monthly meetings of the Snowdoun community, Snowdoun Volunteer Fire 
Department, Montgomery County Alfa, and the Alabama Cattlemen's 
Association. John A. can also frequently be found greeting the visitors 
at his gift shop on Mulberry Street or riding on his farm and tending 
to his cattle.
  On the day of his 100th birthday, John A. will be celebrated by his 
friends and family, and honored for his dedication and many 
contributions to Alabama. I wish him much luck in his future endeavors, 
and I ask this entire Senate to join me in recognizing and honoring the 
life of my good friend John A. Garrett.

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