[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. TOMMY WHITAKER OF PORTLAND, TENNESSEE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. ROSE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2021

  Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend and 
constituent Mr. Tommy Whitaker. On November 14, one day before his 70th 
birthday, Tommy retired after 45 years as an employee and 16 years as 
president and CEO of The Farmer's Bank headquartered in Portland, TN. 
Tommy is a proud Tennessean who has dedicated his career to serving the 
financial needs of his fellow citizens.
  Tommy graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.B.A. before 
attending the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
  Tommy married his wife Shirley and raised two wonderful children--
Susan Hand and Joseph Whitaker--all while continuing to work for the 
Portland community. Today, he is the proud grandfather of Grayson 
Whitaker.
  In addition to his many decades at the bank, Tommy serves the Upper 
Cumberland community as president of Cumberland Electric Membership 
Corporation, and as a member of the City of Portland's Industrial 
Development Board. Previously, he served for seven years on the 
University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.
  Tommy is one of Tennessee's most influential bankers and his strong 
character and devotion to service before self has gained him the 
respect of his community and beyond. It is truly an end of an era for 
The Farmer's Bank. During his tenure, the bank has had significant 
growth, has produced steadily increasing returns to its stockholders, 
and now has a strong team to move the bank forward for years to come.
  As the U.S. Representative for Tennessee's Sixth Congressional 
District, I am grateful for Tommy's friendship, his service to 
Tennessee, and his commitment to put people first.
  An inspiring leader with a human touch, I hope Tommy Whitaker enjoys 
his much-deserved retirement back in Middle Tennessee.

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