[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF TOM ED HAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear 
friend Tom Ed Hays of Hope, Arkansas, who passed away May 7, 2008, at 
the age of 73.
  I will forever remember Tom Ed Hays as a good friend, a keen 
businessman and someone who cared deeply about improving the quality of 
life in southwest Arkansas. As a natural born leader, he excelled at 
every task he took on and was an inspiration to all of us who knew him.
  Tom Ed Hays was born and raised in Arkansas, and was always proud to 
call Arkansas his home. After beginning his banking career in Texas, he 
returned home to Hope to join his father and uncle in the family-owned 
bank, First National Bank of Hope. His ambition and dedication helped 
him rise from cashier to president and CEO of the bank, a role which he 
held until the time of his passing. Under his guidance and leadership, 
the bank underwent significant expansion and spread to communities 
throughout southwest Arkansas.
  While Tom Ed Hays' economic development efforts had a tremendous 
impact on the region and will never be forgotten, his gentlemanly 
nature is what everyone will talk about for years to come. The numerous 
accolades and awards he received over the years are a testament to his 
deep conviction of community service and civic responsibility.
  Tom Ed Hays will be remembered for his outstanding service to 
Hempstead County, southwest Arkansas, and to the entire State of 
Arkansas. Above all, he will be sorely missed as a friend. I extend my 
deepest condolences to his wife, Betty Jo Fite Hays; his three sons, 
Thomas Hays III of Cambridge, England, Daniel Fite Hays of Hope, and 
John Julian Hays of Hope; his sister, Nancy Hays Gottwald of Richmond, 
Virginia; and to his eight grandchildren and countless friends. Tom Ed 
Hays will be greatly missed and I am truly saddened by this loss.

                          ____________________