[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING A REMARKABLE PUBLIC SERVANT, THE HONORABLE TOM VANDERGRIFF

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 5, 2011

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a remarkable 
public servant, the Honorable Tom Vandergriff. Judge Vandergriff began 
his 55 year long public service career as the youngest elected mayor of 
Arlington, Texas. There he made great strides to bring economic 
opportunity and expansion to the area with the luring of a General 
Motors plant, Six Flags theme park, and by bringing the Texas Rangers 
to the city.
  These developments were no small task as it took thirteen years to 
bring Major League Baseball to North Texas and the positive effects can 
be felt through the vitality of Arlington as well as the Dallas-Ft. 
Worth Metroplex to this day.
  Six years later, he went on to become the first Congressman of the 
26th district of Texas in 1983. Although he only served one term, he 
played a fundamental role in establishing the office and representing 
the district.
  For more than 25 years, Vandergriff served as County Judge of Tarrant 
County which includes more than 1.7 million residents and is one of the 
most populous in the United States. He retired from his role in 2007.
  It is my great honor to recognize Judge Tom Vandergriff for his 
dedication, innovation, and insight that he has contributed to the 
North Texas region. I will always remember those exciting radio 
broadcasts when Judge Vandergriff was ``the voice of the Texas 
Rangers'' in the 1970s. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and 
friends. He was a great public servant, and all North Texans are 
thankful for his servitude.

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