[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18221]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               JAMES H. QUILLEN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam President, I would like to take a moment to 
recognize the many achievements of former Tennessee Congressman Jim 
Quillen, and express my support for H.R. 4608 which would designate the 
new United States courthouse in Greeneville, as the ``James H. Quillen 
United States Courthouse.'' As some of my colleagues may know, Jim 
Quillen was Tennessee's longest serving Member of Congress and 
represented his constituents with distinction at both the state and 
federal level of government for 50 years. In 1963, Congressman Quillen 
was elected to the United States House of Representatives to represent 
the First Congressional District of Tennessee. After serving for 
thirty-four years, Congressman Quillen retired in January 1997. 
Congressman Quillen worked very hard for the citizens of Tennessee 
throughout his legislative career, and played a major role in securing 
funding to build the new courthouse in Greeneville.
  Over the years, Congressman Quillen developed a reputation as a hard 
working legislator devoted to the concerns of his constituents. He 
served 17 terms in the House of Representatives, and in many ways lived 
the American dream. Born into poverty near Kingsport, he knew the 
hardships that many of his constituents faced, and promised that his 
door would always be open to hear their views. Congressman Quillen 
rarely accepted that something could not be done, and distinguished 
himself early on as a man who could get results. Congressman Quillen 
fought hard to establish a medical school at East Tennessee State 
University, which is now one of Tennessee's leading medical teaching 
institutions. He was also instrumental in expanding services at the 
Veterans Administration Medical Center in Johnson City.
  Congressman Quillen's tireless efforts in the House of 
Representatives benefitted the entire nation, and his leadership as 
Ranking Member on the House Committee on Rules helped pave the way for 
critical legislation. During his service on the House Committee on 
Rules, Congressman Quillen shaped the course of national policy by 
acting as a ``legislative gatekeeper'' and working with other Members 
to ensure that America's needs were addressed. Congressman Quillen 
never lost sight of the people he was fighting for, and we should all 
be proud of his many accomplishments.
  It is with appreciation for Congressman Quillen's dedication to 
public service over the past fifty years that we approve H.R. 4608 to 
designate the new federal courthouse in Greeneville, which he helped to 
build, as the ``James H. Quillen United States Courthouse.''

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