[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2551-H2552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CELEBRATING JULIA TUCKER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure being here today. As we 
say in east Tennessee, you class up the joint. Thank you for allowing 
me to be here.
  Today, I rise to celebrate the 90th birthday of one of my dearest 
friends, Julia Tucker, 90 years old.
  Julia has served the Knoxville community in many different ways over 
the years. Julia was the first woman to chair the Knoxville City School 
Board, where she served with my daddy.
  Julia is a force to be reckoned with, and she fights for things that 
are important to her. Julia once saved her unconscious neighbors' lives 
during a gas leak by dragging them out of their house.

[[Page H2552]]

  Since Julia's son, Bill, lost his tragic battle with AIDS in 1991, 
Julia has dedicated her life to raising money and awareness to combat 
the disease and also to fight the bigotry. I still have his minibike, a 
``Lil'' Indian, in my collection, and I treasure it very much.
  Julia also honored her son by building Williamswood Castle, which is 
a castle modeled after a Scottish hunting lodge, in Knoxville, 
Tennessee, Madam Speaker. Bill was a historic preservationist way 
before his time. People weren't doing things like that, and Bill kind 
of set the mark for it. Bill was incredibly proud of his family's 
Scottish heritage, and this castle is a unique way for Julia to 
preserve her son's memory.
  Julia allowed my sweet little girl, Isabelle, to have her birthday 
party there, and it was magical.
  Julia also serves on committees and boards for local organizations. 
Julia adopts orphan dogs--I guess me being one of them--and fiercely 
loves her family and friends.
  When I was mayor of Knox County, I had the privilege of publicly 
recognizing Julia's exemplary work in the community, and now I am 
pleased to stand on the House floor and wish her a happy 90th birthday.
  Julia was the first person I knew who had cable TV. She introduced me 
to Shirley Temples and rare roast beef sandwiches when I was a little 
boy.
  Madam Speaker, I wish Julia a happy birthday. Julia is loved by many 
people, and especially the Burchetts.

                              {time}  1100


        Honoring the Service of Corporal Rollen Delano Bradshaw

  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Rollen 
Delano Bradshaw, an American hero and Korean War veteran, as 
Tennessee's Second Congressional District's Veteran of the Month.
  Corporal Bradshaw was rejected three times from joining the military 
during the Korean War because of his partial blindness, but he didn't 
let that get in the way of his patriotism. With just a seventh-grade 
education and a whole lot of persistence, he memorized the eye chart 
and was accepted into the United States Army on his fourth attempt.
  Corporal Bradshaw served in Korea for 18 months, where he worked as a 
postal clerk delivering mail to his fellow soldiers. While deployed, 
Corporal Bradshaw earned the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, the 
United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, 
Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Korea Presidential 
Unit Citation.
  Following his service, Corporal Bradshaw spent 17 years in American 
Legion leadership roles, serving as commander at Post 120 for 15 years 
and as Tennessee's national executive committeeman for 20 years.
  Corporal Bradshaw remains dedicated to his military fraternity to 
this day. Every year, he coordinates Loudon County's Memorial Day and 
Veteran's Day ceremonies. Our country's heroes are the men and women of 
our Armed Forces and those that wear our country's badges, like 
Corporal Rollen D. Bradshaw, who served and sacrificed for our freedom.
  Thank you for your service. And, brother, I am truly sorry to hear 
about the passing of your sweet wife.

                          ____________________