[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                RAY BELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. COOPER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor C. Ray Bell, a 
master builder who passed away on September 4, 2010. He was an 
outstanding member of the Nashville community, a lifelong activist, a 
leader in the construction industry, and my friend.
  Mr. Bell was born in Scottsboro, AL and raised in Shelbyville, TN. He 
graduated from the University of the South in 1963 with an honors 
degree in English and throughout his life remained a very well-read 
man. He worked in construction in Shelbyville for 6 years before he 
came to Nashville and started Ray Bell Construction Company, Inc. in 
1970. His company became the State's largest construction firm and led 
the most significant projects in Tennessee and the South for over 30 
years. Mr. Bell was a self-made man who had the enthusiasm and drive to 
make his business a great success.
  Ray Bell's company built everything: skyscrapers, interstate 
highways, bridges, prisons, stadiums, arenas and more. Many--including 
the Bicentennial Mall and Train Trestle, the Tennessee Performing Arts 
Center, the Shelby Street Bridge Rehabilitation and renovations to the 
Nashville Court House and Criminal Justice Center, Neyland Stadium and 
Thompson Boling Arena--quickly became renowned landmarks in Nashville's 
cityscape and throughout Tennessee. Mr. Bell knew how to bid projects, 
pinch pennies, cut costs and complete the job ahead of schedule without 
sacrificing quality. He was a perfectionist for his clients, making men 
and construction materials come together, even salvaging the work of 
other firms.
  Ray Bell was often called a Renaissance Man because of his love for 
the arts, history and music. Mr. Bell's other passions included his 
family, politics and charitable organizations. When it came to 
politics, Mr. Bell firmly believed in bipartisanship and working 
together to accomplish common goals. He gave generously to various 
charities and was active with the Tennessee State Museum Foundation, 
Easter Seals and the Arthritis Foundation.
  And so, Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to ask my colleagues to 
join me in saluting Ray Bell's life and accomplishments. We are 
grateful for his passion for construction and politics and the decades 
of service and contributions he provided to Nashville and the people of 
Tennessee.

                          ____________________