[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18868]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LEE VICTORY'S LEGACY TO CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2004

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my 
friend, Lee Victory. It is only fitting that a year after his passing, 
his beloved hometown of Smyrna, TN, would name its recreation park 
after him.
  I was there 20 years ago when the park first opened, largely due to 
Lee's efforts. Lee loved his family, and he loved Smyrna. He worked 
very hard to make the community a better place to live and was a leader 
in the development of its recreational parks.
  Lee was involved with area youth long before Smyrna had a park. He 
was instrumental in starting Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and 
youth football leagues. I'm sure his five sons--Kenneth ``Coon,'' 
Billy, Eddie, E.A., and Carl David--had something to do with Lee's 
involvement in youth programs. Team sports, he probably knew, would 
help make his boys more responsible and keep them out of trouble, at 
least during practices and games.
  Lee would later become the head of maintenance for the Smyrna Parks 
and Recreation Department. He also was well known for his annual fish 
fry, but his biggest legacy is to Smyrna's young people. This Saturday 
morning, in a fitting tribute to my friend just before the start of a 
ball game, Mayor Bob Spivey, ``Coon'' Victory and representatives from 
the soccer, girls' softball, Little League baseball and youth football 
teams will unveil a monument dedicating the Lee Victory Recreation 
Park.
  This monument will be a reminder to all residents of Smyrna that 
Lee's contributions and efforts improved the quality of life for all, 
especially the children. I congratulate the town for honoring someone 
who gave so much of his time and energy ensuring that children had the 
opportunity to play sports and learn valuable skills.

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