[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                            TENNESSEE PRIDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, my ancestors' history in East Tennessee goes 
back 200 years. The region is rich in people, culture, and heritage, 
but our success has not come easily. At the turn of this great American 
century the Tennessee Valley, at the foothills of the Appalachian 
Mountains, was burdened by poverty and illiteracy.
  However, two great institutions fueled the region's economy early in 
the 20th century, the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley 
Authority. Then a powerful U.S. Senator from Tennessee helped to locate 
a critical defense mission called the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, 
and the Federal Government invested billions in Tennessee to help win 
the Cold War and break the back of communism, preserving peace in the 
world.
  Today, as we turn into this next great American century, the East 
Tennessee region is home to a thriving technology corridor and a hotbed 
for investment and private sector economic opportunity.
  With the combination of quality of life and great natural beauty, a 
highly-trained workforce, and investment opportunity, the East 
Tennessee area is one of the best examples in our country of turning 
lemons into lemonade.
  With the siting of the Nation's top science project, the Spallation 
Neutron Source, at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of 
Tennessee will play an even greater role in international research and 
development and rise to an even higher level as one of the Nation's top 
educational institutions.
  Mr. Speaker, we are indeed proud of the excellence in education at 
the University of Tennessee. But this week, this fine university 
celebrates another excellent achievement. The 1998 men's football team 
joined the Lady Vols basketball team as undisputed national champions. 
Led by Al Wilson, Raynoch Thompson, and Eric Westmoreland on defense, 
and Tee Martin and Peerless Price on offense, this national champion 
team is not only a team of destiny, but also serves as a good example 
for our young people of the ``team approach.''
  These fine football players worked their way to an undefeated 13 and 
0 season and the first national football championship for the 
University of Tennessee in 47 years.
  To Coach Phillip Fulmer and his staff, Dr. Joe Johnson and the 
leadership of the University of Tennessee, 107,000 diehard fans and the 
best college football team in America, I salute you for your 
achievement, and thank you for instilling such pride throughout the 
Tennessee Valley.

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