[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 69 (Monday, April 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THOMAS ELRED BRADFORD

  (Mr. PALMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Thomas Elred Bradford, a man who truly embodied servant leadership.
  A Birmingham native and graduate of Ramsay High School, Tom served in 
the United States Air Force after college before joining his family 
business.
  After a successful career in business, instead of retiring, Tom 
founded the National Christian Foundation of Alabama.
  Tom was deeply committed to his faith and community, serving as an 
elder at Briarwood Presbyterian Church and in leadership roles in 
numerous civic, charitable, and Christ-centered organizations across 
Birmingham.
  Most importantly, he was a devoted husband to Mary Anne and a loving 
father.
  Tom was always searching for ways to invest in those around him, and 
I was fortunate enough to benefit from his mentorship. Tom gave me my 
first job in Birmingham, and years later when I came to him with the 
idea to start a profamily think tank, he agreed to serve as the 
founding board chairman of the Alabama Family Alliance, which later 
became the Alabama Policy Institute.
  Tom was always a tremendous source of advice and godly counsel and 
became like a second father to me. Tom was truly a force for good. He 
will be missed.

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