[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF THOMAS J. HAMMER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 7, 2015

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise in honor of 
Thomas J. Hammer, Jr. who passed away at the beginning of December in 
Sacramento. With Tom's passing, our country has lost a true leader, 
philanthropist and family man who has left an indelible mark on the 
Sacramento region, our state, and our nation.
  Tom's life is an American success story. Born in 1932 in Birmingham, 
Alabama, he and his family moved to Sacramento when he was 12. A 
graduate of McClatchy High School, Tom went on to earn a bachelor's 
degree and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He 
also spent two years as an Army counterintelligence officer. Tom 
married Phyllis MacAulay, and they raised four remarkable daughters, 
Dayna Joonas, Noel Richardson, Katie Brown and Tanis McGregor. Phyllis 
and Tom have twelve grandchildren and one step-child.
  Almost 50 years ago, Tom and his brother-in-law, Gordon T. MacAulay, 
purchased Shasta Linen Supply in Sacramento. For the first twenty-five 
years of operating the company, Tom also practiced law. Over the years, 
Shasta Linen Supply has grown to be a leading supplier of linens and 
uniforms for restaurants and medical institutions, and importantly it 
has always remained a family run business.
  Beyond his successful business endeavors, Tom's philanthropic efforts 
were immense. Bob and I had the pleasure of serving with him in a 
number of capacities and he also held leadership positions with the 
Downtown Rotary Club of Sacramento, Mercy Foundation, Teichert 
Foundation, and the Sacramento-Yolo Port District, among many other 
organizations. Tom was also fascinated by, and loved, California's rich 
cultural history and the majestic beauty that defines our state. In 
order to preserve our state's history, he was active in the California 
Historical Society, the Sacramento Trust for Historic Preservation and 
the Sacramento History Museum, and the California Railroad Museum.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in paying honor 
to Thomas J. Hammer, Jr. for his exemplary service to those of us in 
Sacramento and across the nation. His life and legacy--as a husband, 
father, friend, leader and philanthropist--is an inspiration to us all. 
I ask that we take a moment and extend our utmost respect and 
condolences to his family.

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