[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER KNOX COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR THOMAS 
                          ``TANK'' STRICKLAND

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the 
life of former Knox County Commission Chair Thomas ``Tank'' Strickland 
who passed away on July 18 at 70 years old.
  Tank grew up in east Tennessee and attended Austin-East High School. 
He graduated from the University of Tennessee before becoming the first 
Black chair of the Knox County Commission. He dedicated his life to 
making Knoxville a much better place.
  When he announced his retirement, he said he hoped he left every 
single situation, organization, and person in a better condition than 
when he started.
  Mr. Speaker, that was a great understatement.
  Even after retiring in 2016, Tank continued to serve the east 
Knoxville community and the entire community as a whole. Just a week 
before he passed away, he asked me to honor some other east 
Tennesseans, Leo and Judy Whiteside, here on the House floor for their 
service to the community. He handwrote his notes about them and sent 
them to our office. This is truly a testament to how much he loved our 
community and the folks around him.
  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful not just for his service to Knoxville but 
also that I could call him a dear friend. When my daddy had his stroke, 
Tank would check on my mama every day in the hospital. My mama would 
always say: ``That handsome young man came by.''
  I guess he had a way with the ladies, and my mama loved him.
  Tank was a dear friend to my parents and my girls. He left behind a 
great legacy and made our community a better place. He leaves his 
lovely wife, Terry, and a bunch of Omega Psi Phi brothers.
  I know he is in Heaven with Jesus, Mr. Speaker, but in a selfish way 
I will miss him for the rest of my life.

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