[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 88 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING TOMMY STEVENSON AND 36 YEARS OF TOMMY'S COUNTRY HAM HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. WILLIAM R. TIMMONS, IV

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2021

  Mr. TIMMONS. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Tommy Stevenson on 
his retirement after 36 years of service to our community. His well-
lived life, risk-taking, and hard work paid off, and he achieved the 
American Dream by establishing the single most iconic restaurant in 
Greenville.
  More than a restaurant, Tommy's Country Ham House became the social 
and political heart of Greenville. There is a saying that ``the road to 
the White House begins at the Ham House.'' Over the years, generations 
of aspiring politicians visited Tommy's in the weeks leading up to 
South Carolina's ``First in the South'' primary. The many signed 
pictures hanging on the restaurant ``Wall of Fame'' are a testament to 
the esteem in which he is held by generations of public servants and 
other luminaries.
  His service to our community has also extended far beyond the 
political realm, whether it be feeding the Furman University football 
team before games or providing generous discounts to our law 
enforcement community. I would also like to commend Tommy for employing 
individuals with intellectual disabilities or substance abuse problems, 
who are often forgotten by society when they need a hand.
  Tommy treated all of his employees with the same kindness and respect 
that he showed his own family, and he allowed my staff to establish an 
``unofficial'' office at the Ham House to assist countless disabled 
veterans and widowed constituents in obtaining much-needed Federal 
benefits. Tommy's giving spirit is truly an inspiration to us all.
  Although Governor McMaster has already bestowed Tommy with the Order 
of the Palmetto, our community will never be able to fully thank him 
for the past 36 years of service to the people of Greenville and the 
Upstate as a whole. As this chapter of Tommy's incredibly successful 
business career closes, my wish is that another, equally fulfilling 
chapter with his wonderful family opens. May God continue to bless him 
and his.

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