[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. JOSEPH DECOSIMO

                                 ______
                                 

                 HON. CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2025

  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joseph F. 
Decosimo of Chattanooga, Tennessee, on his 100th birthday, and to 
recognize his commitment to the Chattanooga community.
  Joe was born to immigrant parents in 1925. After graduating from high 
school, he served in the United States Navy during World War II. After 
the war, Joe attended the University of Georgia on the GI Bill, earning 
his degree in accounting before earning his MBA from the Kellogg School 
of Business at Northwestern University.
  Joe and his wife, Rachel, then returned to Chattanooga, where he 
began his first job as a certified public accountant. In 1971, he 
started his own firm, Joseph Decosimo & Company. He would go on to hire 
four of his nine children at the growing firm. JD&Co would grow into 
one of Tennessee's largest accounting firms, employing over 300 people. 
He would take the knowledge gained from this to found Decosimo 
Corporate Finance, where he continues serving as Principal Emeritus.
  Joe's involvement in our community can be seen through the legacy of 
his name. In 2014, the University of Tennessee--Chattanooga honored his 
support and involvement with the Joseph F. Decosimo Student Success 
Center within the University's Rollins College of Business. Further, 
Joe has established two scholarships and a professorship in Accounting 
at UTC and has served as a teacher, advocate, and supporter of the 
University and the Rollins College of Business. Joe also served as a 
founding member of the stadium board for Finley Stadium and was 
instrumental in the construction of the stadium.
  Joe has served in key board positions at several Fortune 500 
companies and has been involved in several civic and professional 
organizations during his career. He served as president of the TN CPA 
Society and as chair of the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. Joe 
also chaired the Chattanooga United Way Board of Directors and led its 
annual campaign drive, served as a founding board member of the 
Hamilton County/Chattanooga Convention Center, served on the board of 
the Chattanooga Bible Institute (now Richmont Graduate University), 
served as senior investment advisor to the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation, 
and as President of the Chattanooga Rotary Club. He was honored by the 
Chattanooga Kiwanis Club as their Person of the Year and was King of 
the Chattanooga Cotton Ball, an annual event to raise money for 
charities to benefit women and children in need in the Chattanooga 
area. Joe has served as chairman for numerous charitable drives that 
have raised millions of dollars for the Chattanooga community.
  Joe's legacy is also reflected in his family. Joe and Rachel were 
married on September 27, 1949, and celebrated their 75th anniversary 
this past year, and are parents to nine children and 72 grandchildren, 
and great-grandchildren. His children and grandchildren continue to 
serve the community as business and civic engagement leaders throughout 
Chattanooga. Joe is a parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church of 
Signal Mountain.
  It is with great pride and profound gratitude that I recognize Joseph 
F. Decosimo for his extraordinary service to our community. His 
dedication, leadership, and contributions stand as a model of service. 
I have been fortunate to know Joe as a personal friend and stand to 
express my sincere appreciation for all he has done in support of our 
great Nation and community.

                          ____________________