[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4467-H4468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Meuser). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KUSTOFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor, remember, and celebrate 
the life of a dear friend and mentor, Donald Kenneth Sundquist, known 
to all of us as Don. Don passed away this year on August 27.
  Over his long and successful career, Don Sundquist served as a 
business leader, a Member of Congress from his election in 1982 and 
serving for six consecutive terms, and as Governor of the State of 
Tennessee from 1995 until 2003.
  In public office and out of public office, Don cared greatly and 
profoundly about the people of Tennessee and worked tirelessly for 
their betterment.
  Don Sundquist was born in Illinois and earned his bachelor's degree 
from Augustana College in 1957. Following his graduation, Don served 
for 2 years in the United States Navy.
  After an extensive business career, Don was elected to this very body 
in 1982 from the Seventh Congressional District of Tennessee.
  Don was known as what was then called a ``Reagan Republican,'' and 
made himself known as a fiscal conservative. In the House of 
Representatives, Don served on the House Ways and Means Committee. That 
is the same committee I serve on. I walk into that grand committee room 
almost every day and think about Don and his many accomplishments.
  In 1994, Don was elected as the 47th Governor of the State of 
Tennessee, he

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was then elected to serve a second term in 1998 by a record margin.
  During his tenure as Governor, Don Sundquist ushered in new 
businesses and companies to the State of Tennessee. His Families First 
welfare program significantly reduced the number of families on 
welfare, and he insured that Tennessee became the first State to 
connect all of its public schools and libraries to the internet.
  Don Sundquist's life can be summed up in one word: service.
  He dedicated his life to the betterment of the Volunteer State, and 
he taught us all many lessons along the way. If you walk the streets of 
Memphis, Nashville, and other cities throughout Tennessee, and 
Washington D.C., you will meet a lot of people who owe their careers 
and their livelihoods to Don Sundquist.
  Indeed, Don Sundquist was a person of honor and integrity.
  On a personal note, I will tell you that Don was not only a mentor to 
me, but to so many others in Tennessee and across the Nation. He has a 
true legacy that will continue to live on in those in and out of public 
service.
  Don Sundquist was a good friend to both my wife, Roberta, and to me. 
He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, 
Martha, the former First Lady of Tennessee, and their children, Tania, 
Andrea, and Deke.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that each of you and all of us will keep his 
memory and legacy alive.
  Thank you to Don for a lifetime of service not only to Tennessee but 
to the entire Nation. You had a remarkable career and a remarkable 
life.

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