[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1223-E1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOM DRAPER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2017

  Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 
remarkable life of Delaware icon, Thomas H. Draper. Tom grew up in 
Milton, Delaware and spent his summers at the Delaware beaches. Tom 
went on to college at Brown University where he excelled, not only by 
earning his spot as captain of the 1964 Brown Bears lacrosse team, but 
also by being named an All-American before eventually earning admission 
to the Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame.
   Tom returned to his home state of Delaware after college, moving 
back to Sussex County. He quickly purchased radio station WTHD and 
began his career in broadcasting. Tom would go on to purchase WBOC-TV 
in 1980 and helped build it into a broadcasting mainstay in ``The First 
State.''
   To know Tom, however, was to know that he was so much more than his 
career, impressive as it was. Tom loved being outdoors and

[[Page E1224]]

spending time with his family. His four children and nine grandchildren 
were the light of his life, and what a life he led. Thomas Henry Draper 
passed away earlier this week at the age of 76, just a few weeks after 
he celebrated 50 years in broadcasting. We know that our little state 
had a place in Tom's big heart and we know that the legacy that Tom 
leaves behind will make a mark on Delaware for generations to come.

                          ____________________