[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 202 (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H5002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL BENNY ``RAY'' ADKINS

  (Mr. Fleischmann of Tennessee was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and 
a great patriot, Benny Ray Adkins.
  Mr. Speaker, over my 15 years of service in this wonderful Chamber, I 
have given many speeches. I have eulogized and talked about many great 
people.
  Today is a very special speech for me and for our great Nation.
  I knew Benny Ray Adkins back when I practiced law. He worked for the 
Hamilton County Courts. He worked for the Sunshine Biscuit Company for 
years, and Ray was my friend.
  When I got elected to Congress, Ray Adkins really stood out to me not 
only as a mentor but as someone who loves his country. Ray loved the 
United States Army. He was Army proud. He was a lieutenant colonel. He 
served 36 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve.
  Time and time again, when I needed Ray, whether it was to get advice 
on active military, veterans affairs, and the like, he was there.
  Now, the largest city in my district is Chattanooga, and Ray was from 
a part of Chattanooga called Lookout Valley, Tiftonia. It is on the 
western side of Chattanooga.
  Ray was always there whether it was Wreaths Across America, Memorial 
Day, or Veterans Day. He was omnipresent. He was always there for the 
veterans. It didn't matter if it was World War II, Korea, Desert Storm, 
Desert Shield, he was always there. He would show up in his uniform.
  For the past decade or so, Mr. Speaker, he struggled health-wise, but 
he would always show up in his uniform. He would always show up Army 
proud, and he participated in so many different things.
  We had a situation where we put together a Military Advisory Board, 
and I had people from all branches. Ray was so well-respected by 
everyone, whether it was the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or the 
Marines. In that room, he was Ray, the great colonel.
  He loved the Army. He loved our country. He loved our veterans. He 
was a member of the VFW. He was a member of The American Legion. He was 
named Veteran of the Year in Chattanooga in 2017 and received the 
Hometown Patriot Award in 2018.
  This man was so well revered in Chattanooga and rightfully so. He was 
honored with the Ray Adkins Interchange by the Tennessee General 
Assembly, our State assembly in 2021. I drive past that on occasion.
  Mr. Speaker, I will end by saying this: I thank Ray for his 
friendship. I thank him for his service to our great Nation, and I 
thank him for being a great American. America is a greater nation 
because of him.

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