[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING JOHN A. HOBBS IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 29, 2018

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, John 
A. Hobbs, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. He is simply one of the 
most amazing men I have ever known.
  A native Nashvillian, John A. has lived a life for the storybooks and 
he's still going strong. He's worked hard all of his life, for example 
delivering telegrams to the Tennessee Governor's Mansion when he was 
just a young man during the Depression. I am confident that there was 
never a better delivery boy than John A. Hobbs. That's why he was 
chosen to go to the Governor's residence.
  As an adult, he saw Nashville's promise long before anyone else, and 
understood the impact that country music, Opryland, and tourism could 
have on our city. He has invested his heart and soul into helping 
Nashville and Middle Tennessee live up to its potential. Nashville is 
now one of the hottest cities in America due, in part, to John A.'s 
foresight and energy.
  You can read about many of the extraordinary things John A. has done 
for Middle Tennessee in the excellent book, ``The Life and Times of 
Music Valley's Visionary.''
  John A. is a devout Catholic and dedicated family man with a large 
and talented extended family. He built many businesses with his four 
sons and grandsons over the years, and has developed some of Music 
City's most iconic attractions for both tourists and lifelong 
residents.
  Despite John A.'s success, he never lost touch with his roots, his 
childhood friends, and his neighbors. Nobody loves Donelson and its 
people more than he does.
  I particularly love John A.'s lively monthly breakfasts that bring 
the whole community together and where Nashvillians go to be seen. 
Where are they held? At the night spot named ``John A.'s,'' of course. 
You simply cannot win an election in Davidson County unless you are a 
regular attendee.
  I wish John A. Hobbs the happiest of 90th birthdays. He is a truly 
kind, generous, and wise man. The United States of America, the 
greatest nation on earth, was built by men like John A. Hobbs, members 
of the greatest generation.
  I am proud to call him my friend.

                          ____________________