50th Anniversary of Soddy-Daisy
Floor Speech
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Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the great people of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, as we all celebrate the 50th anniversary of this community.
Mr. Speaker, I am so privileged and honored to represent 11 wonderful east Tennessee counties in this great people's House. My largest county is Hamilton County. Perhaps you have heard of a city there called Chattanooga. That is our largest city. But right up the road is a very special place: Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
Soddy-Daisy has a great history. It has been a city for 50 years. But long before that, it all started with the construction of Poe's Tavern in 1819, which Hasten Poe of Soddy-Daisy called home. In the years to follow, the tavern served as a hospital during the Civil War and was torn down later, but a replacement is there today.
Depending on whom you ask, you may get one of several stories about how Soddy-Daisy got its name. Some say it was an adaptation of an Indian name meaning ``sipping place''; others will tell you it derived from the name of a trading post owned by William Sodder, nicknamed ``Soddy.''
As time went on after the Civil War, it was home to mostly Scots; then, later, Welshmen came, and they brought coal mining to the region. The industry grew and the Daisy Coal Company was founded by Thomas Parks, who named it after his daughter, Daisy. The coal company expanded, and the region became known as ``Daisy.''
Mr. Speaker, in 1969, America put a man on the Moon, and a little ball club I am very fond of in New York, the Mets, won the world series. I was 7 years old then, and I didn't know that somewhere in Hamilton County, Tennessee, the great people of Soddy and Daisy were coming together to put together a beautiful city.
About a week or two ago, I celebrated their 50th anniversary as a city. And today, joining us in this great people's House are the men and women who serve on that commission. These are people who volunteer. They serve without pay. These are truly great American citizens. I want to talk about them right now.
We have got Mayor Gene-o Shipley and his wife, DeDe; Vice Mayor Robert Cothran and his wife, Wanda; Commissioner Jim Adams and his wife, Shirley; Commissioner Max Lowe and his wife, Teresa; and Commissioner Rick Nunley and his wife, Katherine.
I also want to recognize Soddy-Daisy City Manager Janice Cagle; and at that celebration, the very first mayor of Soddy-Daisy, Max Orr, was present, and he is still a prominent figure in that great community today.
I know in Soddy-Daisy and in Sale Creek and communities in Hamilton County today, right now, Mr. Speaker, schoolchildren are watching us in the public schools. I want to tell them that their parents, grandparents, and the founders of this great community have been great Americans.
Soddy-Daisy has a rich past. I have been with this wonderful community in times of triumph and in times of tragedy. I have been there when they had floods. Their community is a great community--good, good people, wonderful people.
Now, as bright as the past has been, I want to tell the students who are watching today that the future is going to be even brighter for Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. This is a community that loves God, loves our country, and loves our veterans. It is a special place.
Mr. Speaker, I wish Soddy-Daisy and the great citizens there a very happy birthday and Godspeed.
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