[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 106 (Wednesday, July 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE MEMORY OF ROBERT MILTON HOPE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 15, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the state of Alabama recently lost a dear 
friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.
  Robert Milton Hope, Sr. was a native of Mobile and a 1942 graduate of 
Murphy High School. Following graduation, he joined the Merchant 
Marines and served in the Pacific on a cargo ship during World War II. 
After the war ended, Mr. Hope attended the University of Alabama and 
earned a degree in business administration. He then went on to serve in 
the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
  In 1952, Mr. Hope began working for the Alabama State Docks and 
dedicated almost four decades to the port of Mobile. He served in 
management positions at various Alabama State Docks facilities. He was 
appointed docks director for three terms under Alabama Governors George 
C. Wallace, Fob James, and Wallace again from 1976 until 1987. During 
his tenure, he oversaw the development of the McDuffie Coal Terminal.
  In 1986, the Alabama State Docks honored Mr. Hope by dedicating the 
overpass that takes traffic over a set of railroad tracks into the 
docks' property as Hope Overpass. Following his retirement from the 
state docks, he served as a consultant for Volkert & Associates for 
several years before he retired.
  In 1984, Mr. Hope was one of two U.S. participants invited to present 
a paper at the International Association of Ports and Harbors in 
Hamburg, Germany. In 1986, he received a White House appointment as a 
U.S. Representative to the Coal Industry Advisory Board of the 
International Energy Agency. He also served as president of the Mobile 
Area Chamber of Commerce in 1982 and 1983 and as president of the Gulf 
Ports Association. He served on the Alabama-Mississippi District Export 
Council and on the board of directors of the National Waterways 
Conference Inc.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout the state of 
Alabama. Mr. Robert Milton Hope, Sr. will be deeply missed by his 
family--his wife of 57 years, Tee Hope; his daughter, Page Hope Sute; 
his sons, Robert Milton Hope, Jr. and Gregg Hope; and his five 
grandchildren--as well as his many friends.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

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