[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TESS LIPPS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
honored Kentuckian who has worked to better the Commonwealth. Mr. Tess 
Lipps of Clay County, KY, was named to the Clay County Days Wall of 
Fame in August 2012 for the extraordinary work he has accomplished in 
his community during his lifetime.
  Tess Lipps was born July 8, 1947, in a section of Clay County known 
as Martin's Creek. Growing up with eight brothers and sisters, Tess and 
siblings learned what some would call the essentials in life: integrity 
to others and faith in God. Upon graduating from Clay County High 
School in 1964, Tess applied these essentials to his life.
  In 1971, Tess married Barbara Hicks. From this critical point in 
life, Tess and Barb spent the next greater portion of their lives 
living to serve God and their community. They became youth leaders at 
the Manchester Pentecostal Church and taught a teenage boys' Sunday 
school class. In 1972, the couple opened the first Christian bookstore 
in the area in which they lived, the Gospel Variety Shoppe.
  Tess continued to accomplish and succeed in a plethora of activities. 
He became an agent with the Commonwealth Insurance Company in 1984. 
Progressing through the ranks, he was promoted to sales manager and 
also branch manager. He retired from this position in 2003, but his 
work to the community did not cease.
  In addition to serving as a board member of Agape and emcee of the 
Halleluiah Day Festivals, Tess answered his calling in life and became 
pastor of the Manchester Gospel Mission Church in 2006. Tess also 
formed the Clay County Cancer Coalition and the UPWARD Soccer Program 
in Clay County, despite some doubts from others. He was told that the 
community and church were too small to support such large programs. But 
Tess's faith allowed him to dream the impossible, and then accomplish 
that dream.
  This year, 250 kids played soccer on a brandnew field in the 
community. Tess and Barb have been blessed beyond measure. The wish of 
Tess for the community is that all people can work together making 
greater opportunities for future generations. Mr. Tess Lipps has served 
his community well.
  At this time, I would like to ask my colleagues in the Senate to join 
me in honoring Mr. Tess Lipps, an individual whose hard work and 
dedication to the community, combined with faith and persistence, has 
forever changed the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
  A news story highlighting the achievements of Tess Lipps was recently 
published in the Manchester Enterprise. I ask unanimous consent that 
said story be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

            [From the Manchester Enterprise, Aug. 30, 2012]

                Lipps Known for Commitment to Community


  Clay County Days Hall of Fame sponsored by the Manchester Enterprise

       Tess Lipps, recognized this year as a Clay County Days Hall 
     of Fame inductee, is known as a community volunteer who 
     helped form the Clay County Cancer Coalition and UPWARD 
     Soccer.
       Lipps was born July 8, 1947, in the Martin's Creek Section 
     of Clay County, along with eight brothers and sisters. His 
     parents, Henry and Georgia Lipps, instilled honesty, faith, 
     and a hard working ethic.
       He attended a two-room school at Martin's Creek for seven 
     years, and was part of the first graduating class of the new 
     Goose Rock Elementary in 1960. He graduated from Clay County 
     High School in 1964.
       He and his wife, the former Barbara Hicks, were youth 
     leaders at the Manchester Pentecostal Church for over 13 
     years, and taught a teenage boys' Sunday school class for the 
     next 12 years.
       In 1972, they opened the first Christian book store in the 
     area, and operated it until they sold it in 1983.
       He became an agent with Commonwealth Insurance in 1984, and 
     served in that capacity until he was promoted to sales 
     manager in 1997. He was promoted to branch manager in 2001, 
     and was there until his retirement in 2003.
       A dream of his was realized in January 2006 when he became 
     pastor of the Manchester Gospel Mission Church.
       In May of that year, he was part of a group of concerned 
     citizens that formed the Clay County Cancer Coalition. He was 
     president of the coalition for five years, stepping down in 
     June of this year.
       In 2009, he and the congregation of the church, with the 
     leadership of Joe and Tracy Farmer, started the UPWARD Soccer 
     Program. This year, 250 youth are playing on a new field, 
     with a vision for greater things in the future.
       Lipps and his wife have a son, a daughter, and two 
     goddaughters, along with grandchildren.

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