[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IRA BRADFORD MILLER, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. COOPER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Ira 
Bradford ``Brad'' Miller, Sr. who passed away on September 4, 2010. He 
was an outstanding member of the Middle Tennessee community, a leader 
in the construction industry, and a great friend.
  Mr. Miller was a lifelong resident of Rutherford County, where he 
attended Central High School and received a scholarship to play 
football at Middle Tennessee State University. He answered his 
country's call to serve in the United States Navy during World War II 
and returned to MTSU to earn his degree after the war ended.
  Brad Miller began working as a high school teacher and coach before 
pursuing his career in the construction industry. He started a water 
and sewer firm that eventually became Brad Miller Construction Company, 
Inc. After many successful years of business, Mr. Miller sold his 
construction company and became president of Tennessee Paving Company, 
an asphalt paving firm he founded with his brother-in-law.
  Mr. Miller served as executive director of the Tennessee Crushed 
Stone Association until it merged with the Tennessee Asphalt Pavement 
Association to form The Tennessee Road Builders Association. Mr. Miller 
was a member and served on the board of directors for all three 
associations at the same time, and during the merger he acted as the 
liaison between the three firms. When the associations merged in 1982, 
he was chosen to be the executive vice president of The Road Builders 
Association, a position he held until his retirement. Brad transformed 
The Road Builders into one of the most powerful and respected 
associations in Tennessee. Later, he was elected chairman of the A-R-T-
B-A Council of State Executives.
  Brad Miller believed in the importance of having good representation 
in our Nation's Capitol. Over the course of his career he used his 
formidable lobbying skills to help influence important legislation. Mr. 
Miller's success in the construction industry was widely recognized. He 
received a certificate of special recognition from the National Stone 
Association, The Tennessee Road Builders Association Lifetime 
Achievement Award, and the A-R-T-B-A Award, the association's highest 
honor.
  Mr. Miller was married to Betty June Carter Miller for fifty-nine 
years. The couple met in college and married in 1951. Brad Miller was 
the proud father of Ira Bradford Miller, Jr., Michael L. Miller, Cindy 
Miller Smith and Molly Miller Alspaugh. He enjoyed spending time with 
his children and seven grandchildren.
  And so, Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to ask my colleagues to 
join me in saluting Mr. Miller's life and accomplishments. We are 
grateful for the contributions he provided to his community and the 
people of Tennessee.

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