Congressional Record—Senate S4152
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S4152 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 28, 2011 competitively, he and his brother, REMEMBERING KATHRYN TUCKER values in a way that should make Donnie, left Florida along with fellow WINDHAM every Alabamian proud. racer Red Farmer, and settled in ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I I recently watched a video of her in Hueytown, AL. These three young men would like to take a moment to honor her small rocking chair, telling stories. became known as the ‘‘Alabama a woman whose sparkling personality They were told superbly, with perfect Gang,’’ a racing fraternity that would and literary voice truly captured the timing, and I burst out laughing. She later include Bobby’s son Davey Alli- essence of Alabama. Kathryn Tucker was much like my great aunts, her con- son and NASCAR star Neil Bonnett. Windham, a beloved storyteller, pop- temporaries, who lived not far away. After his relocation to Alabama, ular author, renowned photographer, The stories of this generation provided Bobby garnered tremendous success on and proud citizen of Alabama, passed humor, history, family affection, and the track, winning NASCAR Modified away on June 12, 2011, at the age of 93. education to listeners. It is a time Special Division titles in 1962 and 1963. She lived a rich, full life, true to the pretty much gone. Someone once said He followed this success with consecu- highest ideals of our State. I knew her that the purest examples of a period’s tive NASCAR Modified Division cham- well and followed her career. In my ideals are curiously often found in its pionships in 1964 and 1965. Bobby com- opinion, her qualities of character, pro- last days. It may be Ms. Windham was peted in his first Sprint Cup Series race fessional accomplishments, and simple the last and best practitioner of those at the 1961 Daytona 500, and achieved decency place her at the top of all who humorous and revealing stories that his first Sprint Cup win 5 years later, have been products of our State. are indeed works of art. at Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine in Ms. Windham authored over two My thoughts and prayers go out to 1966. In his 25-year Sprint Cup career, dozen books in her lifetime, giving an Ms. Windham’s family—her son, Ben, Bobby won 83 additional races, includ- endearing and insightful voice to retired as editor of the Tuscaloosa ing three Daytona 500 triumphs and Southern culture and folklore. Her News, her daughter Dilcy, and other four victories at Talladega Superspeed- books related everything from ghost family and friends as they mourn the way. He is tied with Darrell Waltrip for stories and memories to delicious rec- loss of their beloved mother, relative, the third most wins in Sprint Cup his- ipes, and she developed a devoted audi- and friend. As her Senator and as her tory. Mr. Allison is also a five-time ence in Alabama and around the United friend, I am grateful for the extraor- Sprint Cup Series runner-up, winning States. Ms. Windham also became a dinary life that Kathryn Tucker the Cup once in 1983, when it was still celebrated radio personality, appearing Windham led, and I am honored to known as the Winston Cup. His final on Alabama Public Radio for over 20 serve as her Senator so as to be able to win was a thrilling father-son perform- years and commentating on NPR’s ‘‘All pay tribute to her life as the State and ance at the 1988 Daytona 500, where he Things Considered’’ from 1985–1987. She the Nation mark her passing. She will and his son Davey finished first and treated listeners nationwide to evoc- be dearly missed, but her legacy will second place, respectively. ative tales of the South, with such ti- live on in the stories, artwork, and tles as ‘‘Grits Is a Singular Delicacy’’ ∑ Despite his great successes, Bobby’s memories she left behind. and ‘‘Honeysuckle Blossoms Smell life has included tragedy. His racing f Wonderful,’’ all with a Southern accent career was cut short by injuries sus- that remained true to the highest level TRIBUTE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT tained during a severe crash at Pocono of culture and grammar. In addition, OFFICERS Raceway months after his final win at she was a positive force for good, con- ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I Daytona. In 1992, his youngest son stant in her efforts to promote racial would like to take a moment to honor Clifford was killed while practicing for reconciliation in her hometown of an exceptional group of law enforce- a race at Michigan International Selma and in her State. ment officers. Speedway. A few months later, his Ms. Windham spent her childhood in I recently met with Sheriff James older son Davey Allison was killed in a Thomasville, AL, not too far across the Kelly of Catahoula Parish, LA, who in- helicopter crash at Talladega. river from where I grew up, and later formed me that a member of his de- Through both success and sorrow, attended Huntingdon College, my alma partment was conferred the 2011 Na- Bobby has displayed remarkable perse- mater. After graduation, she began tional Missing Children’s Special Rec- verance and resilience. He is known work as a police reporter for a Mont- ognition award by the National Center and respected all around the world and gomery paper, an impressive and un- for Missing and Exploited Children. many of my fellow Senators have been usual job for a female reporter at that Deputy Toney Edwards, of the generous in their praise in this indomi- time. Ms. Windham developed a distin- Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office in table racer. Senator JOHN MCCAIN, a guished journalistic career, working Harrisonburg, LA, was honored along friend and admirer, said, ‘‘I couldn’t be for the Birmingham News and winning with three others involved for their prouder of Bobby. He is an inspiration several Associated Press awards for her outstanding work resolving the tragic for all of us.’’ Senator JON KYL, a work with the Selma Times Journal, case of the 12-year-old Lexis Kaye Rob- NASCAR enthusiast, noted that the where she made her home for many erts. On October 8, 2010, two hunters Phoenix International Raceway named years. Some of her best known books found the partial remains of Lexis Rob- a grandstand for Bobby and declared, are Alabama: One Big Front Porch and erts in Catahoula Parish, LA. Deputy ‘‘The Hall of Fame did well to recog- Thirteen Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery. Edwards, along with a team dedicated nize Bobby in its second class. He is a Ms. Windham was also a noted pho- to the case, was able to identify her re- NASCAR legend.’’ tographer, and her images provide a mains. The investigation into her dis- Bobby and his wife Judy still reside stirring portrait of the people and appearance and death focused on a man in Hueytown, AL, and his two daugh- places of her home State. Her photog- who was last known to be in the com- ters, Bonnie Allison-Farr, and Carrie raphy was included in the Huntsville pany of the girl and her mother, who Allison, live with their families near- Museum of Art’s 1989 traveling exhibit, was also missing. Information about by. Selected as one of ‘‘The 50 Greatest ‘‘Alabama Landscape Photographs,’’ the man was distributed to truck stops NASCAR Drivers of All Time,’’ Bobby and in a later show, ‘‘Encounters 24. throughout the country and 2 days remains one of NASCAR’s most re- Kathryn Tucker Windham.’’ later he was arrested in Mississippi. spected competitors. A truly great Ala- Among many honors and awards, Ms. The man has been indicted on Federal bamian, Bobby has never forgotten his Windham was inducted into the Ala- charges of kidnapping resulting in the roots, and he will always be remem- bama Academy of Honor. This organi- death of the young girl. bered not just as a racer, but as a be- zation celebrates Alabama’s best and Others honored for their working the loved citizen of our State. It truly is a brightest, and Ms. Windham’s member- case were Special Agent Benjamin privilege to honor Bobby Allison not ship reflects her status as one of the Walsh, Supervisory Senior Resident only for his tremendous success in State’s beloved cultural figures and in- Agent Robert King, and Senior Special racing’s most competitive league, but fluential personalities. Ms. Windham Agent Janice Mertz of the Federal Bu- also for his contributions to both was indeed a great Alabamian, and her reau of Investigation in Alexandria, NASCAR and the State of Alabama.∑ work showcases the best of Alabama’s VA. VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:56 Feb 24, 2012 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD11\RECFILES\S28JN1.REC S28JN1 bjneal on DSK2TWX8P1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE.