June 25, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1285 Most recently, however, Rafael has truly Whatever Charlie did, he did with passion, of 72. On behalf of the fifth district of Ten- shown what it means to be a community lead- loyalty and a commitment that was lifelong. He nessee, I send my deepest condolences to er. In 1999, he ran for a seat on the graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in Lee Ann Hawkins and to their four children, Watsonville City Council in a special election, 1950 where we was named an all-city athlete daughters Leslie, Mary, Julia Ann and son Bill. and won with over 70 percent of the vote. At in three sports. Years later, he would return to Charlie Hawkins’ generous and joyful pres- the time, Rafael was the youngest person in serve the school in many ways, including time ence will be missed in Nashville but his spirit Watsonville’s history to serve on the council, spent on its board of directors. And Charlie’s lives on in the many programs and individuals and he approached this position with a pas- love of MBA went beyond his affection for the he inspired and supported every day. sion and commitment that reflected his love of school itself. It was through MBA that he met f his hometown. As in all things in his life, he the love of his life and his wife of 49 years, felt called to serve his constituency to the best Lee Ann Allen Hawkins, the daughter of How- CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO of his ability, and reached out to those he ard Lee Allen, his high school coach. PAUL OLLILA served in an unprecedented manner. From MBA Charlie went to Vanderbilt Uni- Shortly after his election victory he was versity and graduated in 1954. Charlie fol- HON. BART STUPAK tapped as the founding Executive Director of lowed in the footsteps of his father and played OF MICHIGAN First 5 Santa Cruz County, a countywide pro- baseball at Vanderbilt from 1952 to 1954. He IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES became a star pitcher for the Commodores, gram implemented through the passage of the Friday, June 25, 2004 California Children and Families First Act celebrated as the first Vanderbilt pitcher to (Proposition 10). Once again Rafael rose to earn all-Southeastern Conference honors. His Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the challenge of working with and imple- time on the Vanderbilt baseball team was just pay tribute to an outstanding educator in my menting a program aimed at serving children the beginning of his commitment to the sport, district. Paul Ollila is retiring this year as the from zero to five years old and their families the Vanderbilt team and sharing his passion Superintendent of the Copper Country Inter- out of whole cloth. While the act itself does for the game with others. He donated $2 mil- mediate School District (ISD), closing the final provide many specifications for how each lion to Vanderbilt for the construction of new chapter of a career dedicated to the children county’s commission would operate, it also stadium for the Commodores which opened in of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Mr. Ollila’s 40 provides the flexibility necessary for each 2002. Today, the Charles Hawkins Field is en- years as a teacher, administrator, and leader commission to implement the act in a way that joyed by Nashville families and the university serve as a shining example of his profession. helps its constituency best. For Rafael and the community alike, as well as being recognized Paul Ollila earned his bachelor’s degree in commissioners, this included grant funding to as one of the best baseball stadiums in the social work/sociology and secondary edu- large and small programs; countywide analysis South. cation from Northern Michigan University in with partners such as the United Way on the Charlie Hawkins was a generous financial 1964. That same year, he began his career as state of families and children in Santa Cruz supporter of the Vanderbilt Commodores but it a special education teacher and teacher con- County; and perhaps most groundbreaking is was his generosity of spirit and daily support sultant with the Adams Township School Dis- the upcoming implementation of guaranteed to the individual students on the team that was trict. In addition to working with his own stu- health care for all children from zero to eight- truly outstanding. He never missed a game. dents, Mr. Ollila taught special education stu- een. This last program has been the vision of He rode on the bus with the team to away dents throughout the Copper Country ISD. many individuals and organizations in the games. His daughter, Leslie, baked ‘good luck’ In 1976, after twelve years as a teacher for county, and is the result of a unique and excit- cookies for the team before every game. And both Adams Township Schools and the Cop- ing partnership, but without a doubt Rafael’s his door at home was always open to any per Country ISD, Mr. Ollila was asked to be- energy, focus and passion for this program player in need of a home cooked meal or a lit- come the Assistant Superintendent and Direc- shines through. tle grandfatherly advice and support. As news tor of Special Education for the ISD. He ac- Mr. Speaker, there are few individuals who of his recent battle with cancer became cepted this position, and for the next 16 years, have left as large an impact on the Pajaro Val- known, this year’s Commodores rallied to his special needs students throughout the Copper ley and Santa Cruz County as Rafael Lo´pez. support. When his illness prevented his joining Country benefited from his experience, leader- I am honored to know him, and equally sad- the team for one recent road trip, the team ship, and compassion. dened to see him go. I would like to take this took the bus to Charlie, dropping by for a In 1993, Mr. Ollila became the Super- opportunity to wish him and his wife, Rosa good luck send-off as they headed out of intendent of the Copper Country ISD. In this Ram´ırez, all of the best in success and happi- town. Even though he was not able to make role, he has been responsible for delivering a ness as they enter this new stage in their some of the Commodores’ final games this range of services to school districts and their lives. season, Charlie was there on the field with his students. In addition to special education, the ISD assists school districts with compliance f team who had his initials added to their base- ball caps. Clearly, Charlie inspired his beloved and coordination services, and provides a REMEMBERING MR. CHARLES team. The Commodores finished the season number of specialized programs for students. HAWKINS, NOTED BUSINESSMAN, with its best record ever, winning its first These include alternative education, outdoor COMMUNITY LEADER, NASH- NCAA Regional title and its first appearance in education, career preparation, vocational edu- VILLE BENEFACTOR an NCAA Super Regional. cation, gifted and talented programs, and Charlie Hawkins touched and helped health curriculum. The ISD also operates the HON. JIM COOPER Nashvillians in many walks of life. He founded outstanding Western Upper Peninsula Center OF TENNESSEE one of the city’s most respected real estate for Science, Mathematics and Environmental IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES development companies, the Charles Hawkins Education. Company. Headquartered in downtown Nash- Throughout his years as an educator, Paul Friday, June 25, 2004 ville, Charlie and his company were active in Ollila has recognized the importance of ongo- Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bringing new growth to the area in recent ing education both for his own career, and for celebrate the remarkable life of Mr. Charles years. He served on the board of the Nashville his ability to better serve his students. In 1966, Hawkins of Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Haw- Red Cross, the Fellowship of Christian Ath- he earned a Master’s degree in special edu- kins was a beloved figure in our community, letes, the Watkins Institute, Big Brothers of cation/educational administration, and in 1989 recognized for his leadership in the business Nashville, the Junior League of Nashville and he earned a Specialist’s degree in educational community, his enthusiastic and generous the Downtown Rotary of Nashville. He also administration, both from Northern Michigan support to so many Nashville organizations served as President of the Nashville Board of University. and his constant willingness to offer a helping Realtors and a member of the Metropolitan Mr. Speaker, Paul Ollila’s service as a hand to anyone in need. Port Authority. He was also a charter member teacher and administrator has been out- Charlie Hawkins was Nashville through-and- of the Woodmont Christian Church where he standing, but it is even more remarkable when through. You might say it was a role in life he served as an elder and Sunday school teach- you consider the numerous leadership roles was simply born to do. His ancestors first er. In addition for 20 years, he conducted he has taken on at the state, Upper Peninsula, called Nashville home in the 1860s, making church services at the Retired Teachers Home and local levels. In addition to taking leader- Charlie, who was born there in 1932, the in his Green Hills neighborhood. ship roles in various professional associations, fourth generation in his family committed to My hometown lost a very special friend with Mr. Ollila has served on the State Special building a greater Nashville for all. the recent death of Charlie Hawkins at the age Education Advisory Committee, the UP Center

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