Floor SpeechCeremonial2023-09-26

CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST

TaxesEducation

Context

On 2023-09-26, Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-8) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered education.

Full Text

CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST

Congressional Record, Volume 169 Issue 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023) [Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H4467-H4468] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Meuser). The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes. Mr. KUSTOFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of a dear friend and mentor, Donald Kenneth Sundquist, known to all of us as Don. Don passed away this year on August 27. Over his long and successful career, Don Sundquist served as a business leader, a Member of Congress from his election in 1982 and serving for six consecutive terms, and as Governor of the State of Tennessee from 1995 until 2003. In public office and out of public office, Don cared greatly and profoundly about the people of Tennessee and worked tirelessly for their betterment. Don Sundquist was born in Illinois and earned his bachelor's degree from Augustana College in 1957. Following his graduation, Don served for 2 years in the United States Navy. After an extensive business career, Don was elected to this very body in 1982 from the Seventh Congressional District of Tennessee. Don was known as what was then called a ``Reagan Republican,'' and made himself known as a fiscal conservative. In the House of Representatives, Don served on the House Ways and Means Committee. That is the same committee I serve on. I walk into that grand committee room almost every day and think about Don and his many accomplishments. In 1994, Don was elected as the 47th Governor of the State of Tennessee, he [[Page H4468]] was then elected to serve a second term in 1998 by a record margin. During his tenure as Governor, Don Sundquist ushered in new businesses and companies to the State of Tennessee. His Families First welfare program significantly reduced the number of families on welfare, and he insured that Tennessee became the first State to connect all of its public schools and libraries to the internet. Don Sundquist's life can be summed up in one word: service. He dedicated his life to the betterment of the Volunteer State, and he taught us all many lessons along the way. If you walk the streets of Memphis, Nashville, and other cities throughout Tennessee, and Washington D.C., you will meet a lot of people who owe their careers and their livelihoods to Don Sundquist. Indeed, Don Sundquist was a person of honor and integrity. On a personal note, I will tell you that Don was not only a mentor to me, but to so many others in Tennessee and across the Nation. He has a true legacy that will continue to live on in those in and out of public service. Don Sundquist was a good friend to both my wife, Roberta, and to me. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Martha, the former First Lady of Tennessee, and their children, Tania, Andrea, and Deke. Mr. Speaker, I know that each of you and all of us will keep his memory and legacy alive. Thank you to Don for a lifetime of service not only to Tennessee but to the entire Nation. You had a remarkable career and a remarkable life. ____________________

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CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST Congressional Record, Volume 169 Issue 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023) [Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H4467-H4468] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER AND LIFE OF DON SUNDQUIST The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Meuser). The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes. Mr. KUSTOFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of a dear friend and mentor, Donald Kenneth Sundquist, known to all of us as Don. Don passed away this year on August 27. Over his long and successful career, Don Sundquist served as a business leader, a Member of Congress from his election in 1982 and serving for six consecutive terms, and as Governor of the State of Tennessee from 1995 until 2003. In public office and out of public office, Don cared greatly and profoundly about the people of Tennessee and worked tirelessly for their betterment. Don Sundquist was born in Illinois and earned his bachelor's degree from Augustana College in 1957. Following his graduation, Don served for 2 years in the United States Navy. After an extensive business career, Don was elected to this very body in 1982 from the Seventh Congressional District of Tennessee. Don was known as what was then called a ``Reagan Republican,'' and made himself known as a fiscal conservative. In the House of Representatives, Don served on the House Ways and Means Committee. That is the same committee I serve on. I walk into that grand committee room almost every day and think about Don and his many accomplishments. In 1994, Don was elected as the 47th Governor of the State of Tennessee, he [[Page H4468]] was then elected to serve a second term in 1998 by a record margin. During his tenure as Governor, Don Sundquist ushered in new businesses and companies to the State of Tennessee. His Families First welfare program significantly reduced the number of families on welfare, and he insured that Tennessee became the first State to connect all of its public schools and libraries to the internet. Don Sundquist's life can be summed up in one word: service. He dedicated his life to the betterment of the Volunteer State, and he taught us all many lessons along the way. If you walk the streets of Memphis, Nashville, and other cities throughout Tennessee, and Washington D.C., you will meet a lot of people who owe their careers and their livelihoods to Don Sundquist. Indeed, Don Sundquist was a person of honor and integrity. On a personal note, I will tell you that Don was not only a mentor to me, but to so many others in Tennessee and across the Nation. He has a true legacy that will continue to live on in those in and out of public service. Don Sundquist was a good friend to both my wife, Roberta, and to me. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Martha, the former First Lady of Tennessee, and their children, Tania, Andrea, and Deke. Mr. Speaker, I know that each of you and all of us will keep his memory and legacy alive. Thank you to Don for a lifetime of service not only to Tennessee but to the entire Nation. You had a remarkable career and a remarkable life. ____________________