[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 102-103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING ELDON LESLIE AND HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 20, 2004

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Eldon Leslie 
for his nearly four decades of service to the Cookeville Area-Putnam 
County Chamber of Commerce. Eldon is retiring as the president and 
chief executive office of the chamber, a position he has held since 
1967.
  Eldon's career with the chamber has been remarkable. His leadership 
and vision have played an integral role in bringing 35 new 
manufacturing facilities to the Middle Tennessee community of 
Cookeville and Putnam County. His efforts also helped bring a branch of 
Nashville State Technical Community College to Cookeville, which 
strengthened the community's higher education component already 
anchored by Tennessee Technological University.
  Eldon established the chamber's highly successful Adopt-A-School 
program and helped develop the Cookeville/Putnam County Clean 
Commission, as well. And as a leading proponent of economic development 
in the region, Eldon conceived of and developed the ``4th State of 
Tennessee'' concept, which promotes industrial development along the 
Highway 111 corridor.
  Through the years, Eldon has been a dedicated and untiring servant to 
the community. His efforts have been lauded by many and

[[Page 103]]

validated through awards too numerous to mention. I salute Eldon for 
his hard work and contributions that have made Putnam County a better 
place to live and raise a family. Thanks for a job well done, Eldon, 
and good luck in your future endeavors.

                          ____________________