[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12267-12268]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING LOUIS THEODORE GETTERMAN, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2013, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, on July 1, our Nation lost Louis Theodore 
Getterman, Jr., a veteran, a successful businessman, a dedicated 
philanthropist, and a legend at Baylor University.
  Lovingly known by all as Ted Getterman, he was born on October 1, 
1924, in Baltimore, Maryland, and later moved to Waco, Texas, to attend 
Baylor University and to eventually become an active community leader.
  Ted Getterman lived his entire life with excellence. At the age of 
18, he volunteered for the Army, and served our Nation for 3\1/2\ years 
during World War II. He was on the beach with his fellow soldiers, 
preparing to invade Japan, when the atomic bomb was dropped, thus 
ending the war. Upon his return, he attended Baylor University, where 
he received both his BBA and J.D. degrees.
  Ted Getterman was very dedicated to his alma mater, Baylor 
University. He upheld the university's mission well--to educate men and 
women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic 
excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. He was 
active in various Baylor organizations, and was an honorary member of 
the Baylor ``B'' Association. Ted was also awarded with the Baylor 
Athletic Director's Hall of Honor Achievement Award, the Victory with 
Integrity Award, and the Baylor Founder's Medal. He was also a fellow 
in the Golden Bear Circle. He was even recognized as a Distinguished 
Alumnus by the Baylor Hankamer School of Business. The Baylor softball 
field was even named in his family's honor--Getterman Stadium.
  In addition to his love for his university, Ted Getterman was also 
successful and active as a businessman. He was a partner of the Seven-
Up Bottling Company, which owned franchises in 29 Texas counties and 
bottling plants in the Texas cities of Waco, Bryan, and Austin. Ted 
also served in the leadership of various business organizations, 
including having been the chairman of his chapter of the Texas 
Manufacturers Association and the president of the State Bottlers 
Association.
  As an active community leader, Ted Getterman served on the Waco City 
Council, and was the mayor of Waco for two terms. He also served 
tirelessly on various boards and organizations, including the Waco 
Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Waco, the Hillcrest Baptist 
Medical Center, the Salvation Army, the Family Counseling and 
Children's Services, the Baylor Stadium Corporation, the Bear Club, the 
Baylor Development Council, the Ridgewood Country Club, and the 
McDonald Observatory of Texas. In

[[Page 12268]]

fact, Ted was named the Philanthropist of the Year by the Central Texas 
Chapter of Fund-Raising Executives.
  Ted Getterman was a hardworking man who also enjoyed his leisure time 
with family, friends, and his rescue dog, Noodle. He enjoyed traveling, 
golfing, and working out at the Ted and Sue Getterman Wellness Center. 
He was a faithful husband to his loving wife, Sue; a mentoring father 
to his sons, ``T'' and Holt; and an inspiration to his numerous 
grandchildren and great grandchildren.
  When I was growing up, my dad used to always tell me the same thing 
each day. Those words were: ``Go make a hand.'' In other words, he was 
telling me to add value, to make the world a better place. I think all 
of us in the 17th Congressional District of Texas can unanimously say 
without reservation that Ted Getterman made a hand.
  Before I close, I ask that all Americans continue to pray for our 
country, for our military men and women, and for our first responders, 
who serve selflessly to keep us safe and free.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ted 
Getterman's. He will be forever remembered as selfless, hardworking, 
and devoted man of God. He left a legacy of love, dignity, grace, and 
philanthropy. God bless his family and our community as we mourn his 
passing.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________