[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



TRIBUTE TO FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION OF HAZARD, KENTUCKY

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to applaud the 
extraordinary and selfless efforts of the First Federal Savings & Loan 
Association of Hazard, Kentucky in furthering the educational 
development of Hazard Community College and the surrounding area of 
Eastern Kentucky.
  In the aftermath of the attacks perpetrated on September 11, Hazard 
Community College found themselves at a loss for adequate funding for 
their newly planned building when a major philanthropist had to 
withdraw previously committed funds. The building was projected to be 
the campus' main building with plans to include a student center, 
bookstore, cafeteria, meeting area, economic development center for 
Eastern Kentucky, and a community center. Without proper funding, the 
project appeared to be heading for failure. However, in a Herculean 
display of courage and character, First Federal Savings & Loan 
Association, led by President and CEO Tony Whitaker, stepped in and 
played the heroic role.
  By locally rising $3 to $4 million through an eleventh-hour 
fundraising campaign to match state and federal funds and also 
graciously providing a half million dollars directly from the bank, 
First Federal Savings & Loan was able to secure appropriate funding for 
the project to continue as planned.
  In trying times such as these, we all can learn from the example set 
by Mr. Whitaker and the First Federal Savings & Loan Association of 
Hazard with their commitment to education and the community.

                          ____________________