[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13147]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ROBERT ``BOBBY'' BRAMLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM COLE

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend and 
fellow Sooner, Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' Bramlett, as he nears the end of 
his term as the 108th chairman of the nation's largest insurance 
association, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, 
also known as the Big ``I''. He was installed as chairman of the Big 
``I'' last September in Atlanta where I was personally present for the 
ceremony, and over the past year he has done an amazing job of piloting 
the association as the top agent in the nation.
  Bobby has spent his career in the family insurance business, starting 
with The Bramlett Agency in 1975. He has since purchased the agency, 
which was founded in 1948, from his parents, Jim and Janie Bramlett, 
and has served as its president and CEO since 1983.
  He is a graduate of St. John's Military Academy, Delafield, Wis., and 
earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the 
University of Oklahoma in 1974. He bleeds OU crimson, and is a fixture 
in Norman on football game days.
  Bobby married Nanette Potts in 1973. Together they have strongly 
supported their community of Ardmore, the state of Oklahoma, small 
businesses, and the insurance industry by serving in many capacities. 
He is past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma 
(IIAO) and past Big ``I'' director from Oklahoma. In 2008, Bobby 
received the association's highest government affairs award, ``The 
Sydney 0. Smith National Legislative Award.'' He also was given IIAO's 
highest award, ``The Eagle of Excellence Award,'' in 2009. Also an avid 
golfer, he has been heavily involved in the Trusted Choice Big ``I'' 
National Championship golf tournament which is one of the pre-eminent 
junior golf events in the country.
  In his community, Bobby serves as a First National Bank and Trust 
Company director, trustee of The Glen Foundation, and trustee of St. 
John's Northwestern Military Academy.
  Bobby and Nanette are the proud parents of son, Jake, who is an agent 
in the agency; daughter-in-law, Jennifer; and grandson, Bryce. They 
reside in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
  The state of Oklahoma is proud of Bobby Bramlett and wishes him well 
following his successful year as chairman of the Big ``I.''

                          ____________________