[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ANSLEY MEADERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and 
legacy of my late friend and the former Mayor of Marietta, Georgia, 
Mrs. Ansley Little Meaders.
  Known for her quick wit, gracious hugs and dedication to her 
community, Ansley committed herself to making a difference for the City 
of Marietta and its schools.
  Born on one of Marietta's oldest families, Ansley graduated from 
Marietta High School in 1964 where she was a star on the girl's 
basketball team. After attending the University of Georgia, she married 
her high school sweetheart, Frank Meaders, and followed in her father's 
footsteps and spent more than 20 years in banking.
  Upon the passing of former Marietta Mayor Joe Mack Wilson, Ansley was 
drafted by many to seek election for the city's top job. She won a 
special election in the summer of 1993, and was reelected twice more, 
thus serving for more than 8 years, making her the third longest 
serving Marietta mayor.
  Ansley had a different approach to politics. She was determined not 
to allow any sort of partisanship to label her. When asked whether she 
was a Republican or a Democrat, she was quick to respond that she was a 
Presbyterian.
  While mayor of Marietta, Ansley was known for her love of and 
dedication to the city's school system. I had the honor, Mr. Speaker, 
as serving as chairman of the Marietta School Board during that time, 
and I experienced firsthand the compassion and commitment she had for 
the schools.
  In 1984, Ansley conceived the idea of Marietta's Schools Foundation, 
an organization to support the teachers and the students of Marietta. 
As the organization's president, Ansley presented the Distinguished 
Alumni Award at nearly every Marietta High School graduation ceremony 
for more than 20 years. And each year she urged graduating seniors to 
be loyal to their alma mater, to their community, and to the valued 
friendships created at Marietta High.
  As the city's leader, Ansley was successful in lowering taxes and 
improving city services, building a new courthouse, adding two new fire 
stations, and constructing a new police headquarters. Even with all of 
her accomplishments, she remained a gracious and humble leader.
  Two weeks ago, on May 4, 2005, Ansley Meaders suffered a fatal heart 
attack while cooking dinner in her home. This devastating news fell 
over the community like a dark cloud, Mr. Speaker. One of our greatest 
community members had slipped away from us. She leaves behind her 
husband of more than 40 years, Frank, two children, Mary Ansley and 
Robert, and four precious grandchildren, Rosser, Georgia, Trey and 
Hunter; and an entire community who loved her dearly.
  After only 59 years, Ansley's life and physical presence in her 
beloved Marietta, Georgia, has ended. But, Mr. Speaker, her passing 
leaves Marietta with a legacy of service, dedication, and humble 
leadership that will remain for generations to come. God bless Mayor 
Ansley Meaders.

                          ____________________