[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SODDY-DAISY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the great people 
of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, as we all celebrate the 50th anniversary of 
this community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so privileged and honored to represent 11 wonderful 
east Tennessee counties in this great people's House. My largest county 
is Hamilton County. Perhaps you have heard of a city there called 
Chattanooga. That is our largest city. But right up the road is a very 
special place: Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
  Soddy-Daisy has a great history. It has been a city for 50 years. But 
long before that, it all started with the construction of Poe's Tavern 
in 1819, which Hasten Poe of Soddy-Daisy called home. In the years to 
follow, the tavern served as a hospital during the Civil War and was 
torn down later, but a replacement is there today.
  Depending on whom you ask, you may get one of several stories about 
how Soddy-Daisy got its name. Some say it was an adaptation of an 
Indian name meaning ``sipping place''; others will tell you it derived 
from the name of a trading post owned by William Sodder, nicknamed 
``Soddy.''
  As time went on after the Civil War, it was home to mostly Scots; 
then, later, Welshmen came, and they brought coal mining to the region. 
The industry grew and the Daisy Coal Company was founded by Thomas 
Parks, who named it after his daughter, Daisy. The coal company 
expanded, and the region became known as ``Daisy.''
  Mr. Speaker, in 1969, America put a man on the Moon, and a little 
ball club I am very fond of in New York, the Mets, won the world 
series. I was 7 years old then, and I didn't know that somewhere in 
Hamilton County, Tennessee, the great people of Soddy and Daisy were 
coming together to put together a beautiful city.
  About a week or two ago, I celebrated their 50th anniversary as a 
city. And today, joining us in this great people's House are the men 
and women who serve on that commission. These are people who volunteer. 
They serve without pay. These are truly great American citizens. I want 
to talk about them right now.
  We have got Mayor Gene-o Shipley and his wife, DeDe; Vice Mayor 
Robert Cothran and his wife, Wanda; Commissioner Jim Adams and his 
wife, Shirley; Commissioner Max Lowe and his wife, Teresa; and 
Commissioner Rick Nunley and his wife, Katherine.
  I also want to recognize Soddy-Daisy City Manager Janice Cagle; and 
at that celebration, the very first mayor of Soddy-Daisy, Max Orr, was 
present, and he is still a prominent figure in that great community 
today.
  I know in Soddy-Daisy and in Sale Creek and communities in Hamilton 
County today, right now, Mr. Speaker, schoolchildren are watching us in 
the public schools. I want to tell them that their parents, 
grandparents, and the founders of this great community have been great 
Americans.
  Soddy-Daisy has a rich past. I have been with this wonderful 
community in times of triumph and in times of tragedy. I have been 
there when they had floods. Their community is a great community--good, 
good people, wonderful people.
  Now, as bright as the past has been, I want to tell the students who 
are watching today that the future is going to be even brighter for 
Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. This is a community that loves God, loves our 
country, and loves our veterans. It is a special place.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish Soddy-Daisy and the great citizens there a very 
happy birthday and Godspeed.

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