[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO KATHLEEN HYNEMAN ELAM

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                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
woman, Kathleen Hyneman Elam, who will turn 90 on June 10th.
  After graduation from high school in Corinth, Mississippi, Kathleen 
Hyneman moved to Washington, D.C. to work at the Treasury Department 
where she became a supervisor. She also met the love of her life while 
in Washington, Thomas French Elam. They were married in 1945 in 
Washington and later moved to Union City, Tennessee.
  She and her husband, Colonel Tom, quickly became stalwarts of the 
community, encouraging businesses to move to the area. They were 
instrumental in getting the Goodyear Company to locate a plant in the 
area and it today remains one of the largest employers in Obion County. 
Kathleen was right by her husband's side in this endeavor, always ready 
to entertain prospective business clients at a moment's notice.
  Mrs. Elam is an active member of the First Christian Church of Union 
City. An avid gardener, she served as a member of the City Beautiful 
Committee for Union City. Her husband, Tom, died in 1998. During his 
life, Tom was a prominent supporter of the University of Tennessee. He 
served as a Trustee for the University as well as chairman of the 
Athletic Committee. After his death, Mrs. Elam continued his legacy of 
support to the University by serving on the UT Development Council and 
various other committees. Both she and her husband recognized the 
importance to West Tennessee of the University's campus at Martin and 
have made generous donations particularly in the area of capital 
improvements.
  Mrs. Elam also supports St. Jude Children's Hospital, Le Bonheur 
Children's Hospital, Freed Hardeman University, Lexington Theological 
Seminary, the Masquerade Theatre of Union City and the Union City High 
School. As you can see, her philanthropic endeavors know no bounds.
  One of her latest endeavors has been, along with Bill and Carol 
Latimer of Union City, to provide the building funds for a spectacular 
new library for Obion County.
  While beset with health problems and confined to a wheelchair for the 
last few years, Kathleen Elam is still very much involved in her 
business endeavors and farming interests and can be seen almost on a 
daily basis surveying her concerns. A product of her rural roots and 
the great depression, Kathleen Elam is best known for her quick wit, 
grace, charm and unpretentious nature. She is definitely a shining 
example of the Greatest Generation, and a true asset to her community, 
her state and her country.

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