[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23657]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO FRED NELSON

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                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2009

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to an exemplary 
public servant from my District in Tennessee.
  Fred Nelson recently retired as the General Manager of the Lenoir 
City Utilities Board in Lenoir City, Tennessee. His career is a 
testament to the American dream and community service.
  Fred began working at the Lenoir City Utilities Board in an entry-
level position for $1.90 per hour. More than four decades later, he 
retires following a successful tenure as General Manager. Dedicated 
public servants such as Fred are the seeds of any great community, and 
I only hope that more people follow in his footsteps.
  Like many of his generation, Fred also served his country admirably 
in the Marine Corps in Vietnam. We owe a debt to Fred and many others 
who selflessly put their community and country before themselves.
  Recently, the News-Herald in Lenoir City published an article 
commemorating Fred's service, which is reprinted below. I gladly bring 
the service of Fred Nelson to the attention of my colleagues and other 
readers of the Record, and I wish him all the best in his much-deserved 
retirement.

       [From the Lenoir City (TN) News-Herald, Sept. 23-24, 2009]

                          Nelson Set To Retire

                          (By Greg Wilkerson)

       After a more than 43-year career with Lenoir City Utilities 
     Board, General Manager Fred Nelson announced his retirement 
     Monday, effective Jan. 22.
       ``It's been my life,'' Nelson said as he reflected on his 
     long career.
       Nelson got his start with the utility after leaving the 
     Marine Corps in 1966.
       He said his plan had been to make a career in the armed 
     forces, but his mother did not want him to return to Vietnam, 
     so he left to start a civilian career.
       He considered a position he was offered in Florida within 
     the space program, but ultimately decided to come to Loudon 
     County because of an offer to work at the Hosiery Mill.
       That job paid $1.80 an hour and the LCUB job paid $1.90 an 
     hour and he's been working there ever since.
       ``I think the Lord's led me and actually guided me in ways 
     I needed to go,'' he said. ``It's always been right.''
       Nelson said health concerns were a major factor in his 
     leaving. Doctors have encouraged him to retire for years 
     because of advanced artery disease in his heart and he said 
     he recently had his sixteenth and seventeenth stints put in.
       ``I'm going to start walking on the trail and try to lose 
     weight and hopefully play golf,'' Nelson said. He also said 
     he plans to do more travelling and see more of his out-of-
     town friends.
       When Nelson started with LCUB he worked for about six 
     months as a groundman before starting a four-year 
     apprenticeship to become a lineman. He said he still pays his 
     lineman dues to stay a part of their union.
       ``There's not much I haven't got to do here,'' he said.
       His career has included the title of foreman, assistant 
     superintendent, superintendent, manager of operations and in 
     2004, general manager.
       ``It's been a wonderful ride,'' he said.
       He said he will miss the employees the most.
       ``We have a great bunch of employees and everybody is very 
     friendly,'' Nelson said. He recognized there have been 
     disagreements through the years but everything always gets 
     worked out.
       ``If somebody was to need something, the employees are 
     always ready to help,'' he said. ``Since I came to work at 
     LCUB in 1966, 46 people have passed away that I worked with. 
     I have a lot of good memories with all of them.''
       Nelson was quick to thank the board for giving him the 
     opportunity to be general manager and said he was proud of 
     the accomplishments of the utility in the five years he's 
     been in charge. He also attributed much of the success to his 
     department heads.
       ``We've built five new substations in the last three years 
     and we paid for them in-house without having to borrow any 
     money,'' he said. They also haven't been to the bond market 
     since 2001, and Nelson said they used to go every three 
     years.
       ``We've really tried to buy the best equipment you can 
     get,'' he said. ``We've had an excellent safety record.''
       Nelson's wife, Judy, retired from Y-12 two years ago. They 
     have two daughters and five grandchildren, all living in 
     Loudon County.

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