[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15107]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO JOHN CLEMSON DUCKWORTH, SR.

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dear friend, John Clemson Duckworth, of Tuscaloosa, AL. Clemson 
Duckworth died this past Tuesday, July 24th, at the age of 94.
  Clemson was born in Tuscaloosa in 1907 and attended the University of 
Alabama. He joined the National Guard at the age of 18 and served as 
his unit's commander when they were activated in 1940 for World War II. 
Clemson served in several areas of the Pacific. He rose to the rank of 
full colonel, earned a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.
  He returned to Tuscaloosa after World War II to his job as a loan 
officer at First Federal Savings and Loan. He eventually became 
President and Chairman of the bank, as well as Chief Executive Officer 
before he retired in 1979 after 50 years of service. During his years 
of leadership at First Federal Savings and Loan, he encouraged home 
ownership among the city's residents and guided Tuscaloosa in the 
city's long-term planning. He served as the first head of the city 
planning commission.
  In his church, First United Methodist, Clemson served as Chairman of 
the Administrative Board and President of the Board of Trustees. He 
served on several committees of the North Alabama Conference of the 
United Methodist Church.
  At the University of Alabama, he served as an adjunct professor, 
teaching economics and insurance. He was active in a number of 
philanthropic and social organizations on campus.
  Clemson Duckworth definitely left a mark on the Tuscaloosa community. 
In addition to his service to the City Planning Commission, he was also 
active in the city's Rotary Club. He was a member of the Druid City 
Hospital Foundation Board and played an active role in many of its fund 
raising projects. He served as Chairman and President of the Community 
Chest Drive, President of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and 
the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and Director and Treasurer of the 
Building Fund of YMCA. For his lifetime of service to his country and 
community, Clemson Duckworth was honored as Tuscaloosa's Citizen of the 
Year.
  Clemson also found time to raise a family. He and his wife Susie 
raised a daughter, Virginia Duckworth Cade; and two sons, John Clemson 
Duckworth, Jr. and Joe Brown Duckworth. They were also blessed with 
seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
  Clemson Duckworth was a good friend, a patriarch of the Tuscaloosa 
community, a decorated veteran of World War II, and a much-beloved 
family man. He will be greatly missed by many.

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