Joe L. Evins: Citizen and Congressman

Joel Evans former United States congressman from the 4th District who died Saturday in Nashville was buried yesterday in his hometown of Smithville. Last year Mr. Evans kindly consented to allow WCT TV to produce a documentary on his life and career. At this time we are proud to present once again in memory of this distinguished public servant and statesman Joe Evans citizen and Congressman. This is Smithville the small quiet middle Tennessee town that is the home of retired fourth district Congressman Joe L. Evans who served his district and his country in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years. It was here as a young man that Mr. Evans made the choice that was to determine the course of his life. And in great part the course of events in Tennessee and the country. It was a young man I had often thought about. Going to Congress. I used to hang around the courthouse and hear recording

session and I thought it would be an honor to me to go to Congress would be an honor. Today I don't think they regarded much of an authors. Maybe I considered when I was a young lad. I just thought that for an opportunity you might come some time I heard my fall there say when I was a little boy that he supported a man for Congress and he didn't win and he said if we had won we would have had some advantage for our community and our state and all. I just listened to that and my grandfather was postmaster of this town hall that was mayor for a long time and I think I just sort of grew into it and I'm sort of expecting you to do something useful and worthwhile It wasn't planned. Although I had the aspiration. Retired career diplomat and former Sparta to the sea mayor mo Sims has known Mr. Evans all his life both at home and in Washington.

But when you see him on the square and sniff Well he's the same when you see him in the capital in Washington when you did see him. When he was there. He he doesn't change at all. His personality. I think this is one of the one of the attractions of the man. That there's nothing false about him he. He's true. Whenever you're you see him wherever the occasion whatever it is another lifelong friend Calvin Loring of Smithville recalls growing up with Joe Evans well known. Living for. More than 15 years. Is always a very very compassionate man. It is also hard for the mother to keep him in close because he had given to some less fortunate Joe. And I always thought Joe would go for a laugh. I thought he'd be a successful man. Every journey begins with that first step for a freshman congressman Joe Evans.

That first two year term provided invaluable insight into the legislative process. When I was a first gone there's I was a member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs having just been discharged from the Army after four years. I was assigned to the Veterans Affairs Committee. This was considered a good assignment with all of the buttons and all of the interest immediately after the war. But I offered serve amendments for the veterans benefits on the floor and to my humiliation they were defeated they hadn't been taken up with the chairman of the committee. I felt humiliated. But when I became chairman of the committee I had the Among other agents is assigned to my committee was a committee on I was a Veterans Administration and I could tell the clerk to write in the bill what I wanted. It was not like all for a moment on the floor were to be defeated. As Chairman I could suggest a direct quote

be put in the bill. But of course when it came to the floor someone could offer the moment to cut it out or to increase it or to amend it. But my committee originated the bill during his years in the Congress. Mr. Evans served as chairman of many powerful subcommittees including the subcommittee on independent offices and Housing and Urban Development appropriations. The subcommittee on public works and atomic energy appropriations and the House Small Business Committee is chairman of these committees. He was responsible for the funding of many projects vital to Tennessee and the country through the democratic process we pay all our taxes and he turns around and returns the money to us. Joevan recent bio fracture of his his long long term. And the Congress by virtue of his seniority. By virtue of his ability and his competence. Was able to do things for not only Tennessee but for the nation.

That were hardly constructive. If you want to enumerate what he did pretend to see the things that come to mind. One is that which is current at the moment and very vital to us is the Appalachian program. Now Congressman Evans was chairman of the independent agencies Committee subcommittee on the Appropriations Committee. And that committee. Handles the budget for something like 80 or 85 independent agencies of the government. Among those the TVA the Federal Reserve Board. And also he was chairman of the Small Business Committee which is a select committee of the Congress. And he did things like support your Krige technological developments that have taken place there. The atomic energy program that was one of his committed one of the agents is. That he that he had control over. He

he you supported the yard's Center which Tennessee Tech operates. I mean for George or any of the Appalachian Arts Center you know down on Center Hill lake and he also all supported and I guess is just about totally responsible for the aerospace research development program down and tele Homa operated by the University of Tennessee Nassar the National Aeronautics and Space Administration came under Joe Evans. These are things that come to mind and perhaps one of the most important things there was a corps of engineers that came under him and I think all of us are familiar with what the Corps of Engineers have done for 10 years see. Now from time to time you hear well you know this is pork barrel. Government but it really isn't pork barrel government. I don't know of anyone in Tennessee that would be opposed or is opposed to the Corps of Engineer

developments that they have developed and created. Given us how do electric power governments flood control and given us. A lot of recreation. TVA of course is in the same category. And he also had TVA under his in his committee. These are I think the prominent thing is there are many many more just I don't know how to list them or talk about them. There are so many of them. But he did this not only for Tennessee but he did it for the nation because his committees and the appropriation which covered the whole United States. Congressman Evans strategic position as ranking member and chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee on Appropriations that recommended funds for among other agencies the Atomic Energy Commission also made possible the numerous capital improvements at the atomic energy facility at Oak Ridge. It. Became very obvious to us. Early on after he

became our representative. That. He saw our coverage. As an opportunity. To. Make a difference in national affairs. Which except perhaps for TVA. He didn't have. Representing the areas that he had traditionally represented. I think it took that very seriously. The reason I say that is that. Although he never never pretended. To be something he wasn't. He. Welcomed and in fact encouraged. A lot of. Briefings. And he he asked various scientists and engineers from our organization to come down

and discuss programs with him. And I always put the people in the so that they could talk. In terms that he could grasp and it was obvious that his interest was was there. He had a. Breath. Of perspective which was really fascinating he could talk about. 500 million dollars in one breath and in the other he could talk about very small things and one of the smaller things which I know he took a particular interest in. And which I think has been a very good thing to come out of a trade was the so-called training and technology program. Which involved taking underemployed people. And putting them through a program at one of our plants the Y-12 plant where they could learn a skill. To be a combination of classroom work and actual shop experience and a number of. Crafts and of course the employment program of these people has been

outstanding and I know that this was a program that both he and his wife were quite interested in and gave their strong support to and and given the enormous power that that he had anything that he supported strongly you really had a very good chance of succeeding other Oakridge community leaders recall Congressman Evans and his impact on the Atomic Energy Center. Well I do. I had known congressman Evans for some time as a congressman as a neighboring Comrie congressman and then because of reapportionment he was moved in here and as a result of that he and that he and I then cemented our casual acquaintance prior to that. And that was I think in 1970. So since then I've grown to be a great friend and admirer of Joe's. He has brought us some of the finest buildings we've had here the new magnificent Federal Office Building which is one of the few office buildings of its kind outside of the metropolitan areas. We have a beautiful museum that many many people millions have been to see. He has

been so important in our city government here. You see we have a federal city that has an industry in here of 18000 people that pays no taxes and as a result we're dependent on the federal government and trying to get through that maze in Washington without somebody like Joe Evans especially in the early days was most difficult. And he was a very very helpful to us and say he's one of the most. Affective and revered public servants the state has ever had he was a he was a populist and I think that he was a conservative populist he was in the band of people of just before for an Albert Gore and he he believed in the small man and he believed in the little fellow he was chairman of the Small Business Administration he was active in the Federal Trade Commission he always wanted to see that the powers of trust and trust were not such that it hurt the small man and he was all he was great. And I hand him his mail and doing favors for small people Bill keel who was in the Strait of assistant was one of his great assets and they made a tremendous team.

And there was no nothing too small for Joe to handle and when in time he he was chairman of the subcommittee that funded the TVA that funded all of Oakridge funded us engineers. But he could handle a widow's problem on Social Security with equal very vigor and equal determination. And that's the great thing I think about Joe Evans is around us and he was very involved in vocational admin education which we now call high tech education. He funded hundreds of millions of dollars for that to get it started 15 years ago. He was a great energy man all sources of energy Jiro thermal solar and whatnot he used to have an expression he said I think energy ought to be a workhorse not a hobby horse. I remember repeated that many times he meant that we ought to do something with it not just play with it and so he was being pragmatic about energy 15 years ago. And for a man that was as busy as he was it was indeed miraculous I think he was able to do so much.

For us. One of my favorite stories my favorite story I guess about Congressman Evans. Mr. Chairman as they called him in Washington when he first got this just he came to visit Oak Ridge immediately after the reapportionment and. The next thing I knew is that we had a call from our Oldsmobile dealer here in town saying would you come over. We've got a picture we'd like you to take and it was only a couple blocks away so we went over and lo and behold there was Congressman Evans standing in front of a brand new car with the owner of the agency and he had just bought a car Elkridge to I guess help solidify his entrance into Oak Ridge is our representative. And the next day we had a picture on the front page of our new representative buying a car in Oak Ridge and he got 79 percent of the votes in the next election. He did keep track of what was going on here he did keep abreast of the leaders here and what was necessary and. He was extremely helpful to Oakridge. Of course some of the buildings its been mentioned before the federal building up here I think are. As important certainly

to Oakridge in many ways was the building of the museum which he was just almost totally responsible for it was something that was very much needed. But it it took some help to get it. But he did other things too. He for example. Helped get four million dollars or approximately that for him for a program not a building but a program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. On environmental research. And this was one of the first healthy. Appropriations for that kind of research here which in the early days of environmental research so he he really understood that kind of thing too. Congressman Evans interest and influence extended to many areas one of which was education. Tennessee technological university president talks about Mr. Evans relationship with the university. It's very difficult may talk about him because I feel so keenly about him and and I feel that he has contributed so very much to the country and particularly to this part of the country. He's been a champion for

education. All the time that he was in Congress and he came Lee believes believe van and believes now that education as they have in it whatever we characterize as a good life whether it be economic development or social development or whatever. As you look around the fourth district of course the Lions have been really grown on their own but the fourth district as it was. Up until it was reformed a couple of years ago. You look around you don't find anything that progressive that Congressman Joevan didn't have a hand in doing. As far as Tennessee Technological University where we're located right in the middle of the Fourth District. We're quite adjacent to Congressman Evans hometown and they had as a youngster he studied at Tennessee Tech for a while and he did not graduate from here transferred but we claim him as a him as an alumnus and claim him as a great friend and as a person who has contributed to

this university in ways that no other person has. Tennessee technological university depends very much and its research activities and in many of its developmental activities for federal funds and indeed budget. That's not appropriated and student for the budget that we get from external sources most of which is come from the federal government. There's about a million dollars a year. And that began building during the time Joevan to us in Congress. And. While. Some of that is not attributable to him directly indirectly through his work in Congress and the things which he championed that is education and scholarship of research and development all around us. He's made this a better institution than my lot of other universities better institutions to.

The Joe Evans Appalachian center for crafts near Smithfield is administered by Tennessee Technological University and funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission in large part due to the efforts of Congressman Evans. It's a magnificent facility I have seen no one representative of the arts and crafts who are not. Commented that this center is the finest in the country indeed perhaps in the world. It is just a fabulous facility located on the side that we call our tech site where we carry out. Research in biology and biological sciences. But. The center has a full range of crafts development crafts teaching for a range of exhibits of crafts that are indigenous to the Appalachian area. It's just a very very fine facility. And Congressman Evans is

almost single handedly responsible for that. Folks talk to him about how important it would be to have in the Appalachian region a center that could preserve promote perpetuate and teach the crafts that are indigenous to this area. Craftsman had been working for. Years and years and years he thought that was a good idea and saw an appropriation which really was over a two year period as a rider on the Appalachian region commission bail of a total of five million dollars for the construction of the early operation of that center so it very appropriately carries his name. Congressman Evans interest in the university is further indicated by the donation of his papers to the school. Congressman Evans chose to leave his papers and his memorabilia. Those which came light over the years to the Tennessee Titans alogical university and I'm

happy to report that we're very close now to. The library that will accommodate those papers and where we can dedicate a joy leavened room in our library. And these papers will be available to scholars and students over the years ahead. Joe Evans 30 years in Congress has built a legacy for research and study. And for people to write about and talk about over the next several centuries really. A renovation that's taking place on campus and then all will clear up space in the existing library by January 1 of this year and we plan to put those papers on display there and make them available to scholars of course our long range planning is for a new library on campus and we had appropriated it last year $100000 for pre-planning of a new library that will be located the central part of the campus. And in

that new library also will be a very prominent Joe 11. And many people have referred to Joe elevens as being somewhat parochial over his 30 years in Congress meaning that he took care of his own people. He did that and he did that in a way that no other tennis has ever done. But that doesn't mean he's parochial. That means that he never lost sight of his own people and what their needs are and he attended to them a very fine way. But I think of him as a great political statesman of our time. I read his speeches I have read books that have been written about him and things that he's read. He he had a great vision for this country and he amplified that through his service long service on the House Appropriations Committee and on the subcommittee on public works on on the

Small Business Committee and these he chaired before different committees during his time in Congress but always he was looking for what was good for America. And it's uncanny the things which he accomplished for the good of America. Here is his speech to Congress on the occasion of his retirement this is almost a tear jerker but it's also very enlightening as you look and read about the things that were accomplished during his years in Congress the energy development. Control of research in energy. His contributions to education and to business. But he was a man who believed in America who believed in American economy and who made things happen. William Kiel who served as congressman Evans administrative assistant during his last decade in office talks about his former employer and provides some insight into

Mr. Evans personality and his relationships with constituents and colleagues. He has a very kind and. Understanding person. He's very understanding of human frailties and he knows people. So yes we have we had a good relationship with him. It's a matter of fact I said at that time that that was a Camelot. But my working experience. Because when I went with him. I had just assumed his position of I was just assuming his position of immense power. In the Congress. He was in the process of becoming chairman of one of the most powerful Appropriations Subcommittee in addition to certain other chairmanship so he always said that arrived at the right time and I felt that from my own personal interest. I arrived at the right time because there was so much power there to work with. As Lyndon Johnson pointed out.

One of the lasting contributions he made. To the contrary was his role in funding. Very important legislation important legislation for people like model citizen program and program the vast array of programs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. And in addition to that he was a personal and very committed advocate for exploration of space and that was another program that. NASA's programs funded. By his. Subcommittee. So. His name is now on the moon. The disk is one of those who have important part in. Launching the space program. So he did a number of. Things there for me. Got into this position where because of the confluence of his chairmanships he was able to.

Focus power. He always stayed close until after the people at home. He. Answered his mail diligently. He made it a point to return to Tennessee at least. Once a month and he placed a great emphasis on the importance of mail he always said that if a person thought strongly enough to write it to a member of Congress and that person deserved a responsible letter. And. He also believed in helping. Everybody that. Made it happen. That asked for help. Certainly it was a reasonable request that he hammered that into this and he reviewed the mail that which he did not dictate himself and. Never lost. His dad. So I don't want to Kazan that his May his strength. Was in his love of people he said don't ever stay away from the people always go back and.

Gain their separation if you can get by mixing with people and he he will have to do that. He loved the campaign he was a. Campaigner that I guess was equal in the way of ski forward. We had a lot of interesting experiences. The striking thing to me was that he knew well that he knew where the main families in the district should live. And if for example he came across a person named flat which is a strong. Family NFL 880 bandwagon cat he would say What are you doing down here out of Putnam County and he came across about name pits which is a shabby little name from Putnam County he would want to know you know how they migrate in that direction so. He had a wonderful touch with the district and we had some. Memorable experiences I remember once we went to a better NS. Program can in the southern part of the district and the cattle judge had been scheduled to

make a speech and somehow that sort of Sheldon So he was praying a very enthusiastic prayer and says. God we love our country and we love our people and we love our freedom to God. We're going to fight like hell to keep it. And that was a conclusion I was prayer unless. We were with some people right after that and the Carson didn't say anything for a couple hours until we got out there said to let us know we boast to just exploded one of his chairmanships was chairmanship of the house taken his committee. House Representatives which controlled about 400 jobs and it also related to jurisdiction over the police department. And back at the time when. A bomb was planted in the Capitol and exploded he came into the office quite actually that morning and made it really demanded that the. Secretary get the police chief Chief power from

shovel. And. So she put a call in to the police chief and he was at the moment. And. Congressman Evans is very impatient with that. At about that time I had a call from one of our close friends and Mike Mandel and this friend told me a joke. And we were laughing at the joking about that same time the call came back in chief over to Mr. Evans about the bombing almost evidence it was not the most mechanically attuned person in the world. Hit the wrong button on the telephone. And he. Cut in our. Laughter. I'll never forget he said this is no laughing matter Chief this is no laughing matter. I would say that Joe Evans. Has to be considered. Touched by greatness. Although he never sought the limelight he never sought to publish and his motivation was to serve people. Here a great

compassion. He was effective. He was responsible for the finding of a number of programs. That is that President Johnson wants said Will. Be a debt which future generations will. Congress will have and Albert Gore Jr. who was elected to the Fourth District congressional seat held by Congressman Evans talks about Mr. Evans and what it has been like to succeed him. I've known congressman Joe 11 since I was a young child because he served in Congress with my father. And I saw him from time to time when I would visit the Capitol with my family only when I got much older did I get to know him better and get to know him as the person he is and develop such a deep and abiding respect for him. What particular aspect of his character or personality do you find most impressive. There are a lot of things about Congressman Evans are

impressive and almost unique. He's impressive for his integrity and character. But I guess if I had to single out one thing it would be his steel trap mind. You'll hear a lot of people use that phrase in connection with Congressman Evans because it's an accurate description of his intellect. He grasps the problem instantaneously and then goes right to the core of the matter and he never lets up. He knows exactly what's going on. You explain something once he understands it better than you do and he goes to work to try to solve whatever problem you're talking about. What do you feel has been his most significant service or contribution to his district and his country. I guess that his greatest contribution has been to establish a level of service to his state his country his congressional district

that will really be a standard by which others are going to be measured for a long long time. He has built and deepened a tradition of public service that is really a tremendous contribution in the process of course he has materially contributed to the economic well-being of the counties that he served in the Congress with the numeral bowl of brick and mortar projects and programs for the good of the people that are almost legendary. The list of them is quite impressive. But beyond the brick and mortar and the programs themselves I think he helped to develop a deeper definition of what public service is all about. Was his career in the House of Representatives and inspiration to you. Well I think anyone who aspires to serve in the United States House of Representatives from an area that has been served by

Joel Evans has a mighty tough row to hoe because he really raised the expectations of the people in Tennessee as to what public service is all about and what a United States congressman all to do in the job to a level that makes you work just as hard as you possibly can. All the time trying to live up to it. And that's a that's a great legacy to leave the people of Tennessee. Those who serve in the House of Representatives afterwards have just got to do their best to try to live up to it. How do the people of the district react to having a new representative many of whom have known no other in their lifetime than Congressman heavens. Well when I began to represent the district that Joel Evans had represented for so long I knew that it would take a long time and will still take a long time before

people stop thinking of Congressman Joe Evans as the congressman from that district in fact I don't think they ever will because he did such a tremendous job and carved out such a large and warm spot in the hearts of the people in Tennessee that. It's a joy to try to live up to that and to try to follow him because you know that as hard as you work you're still going to have a ways to go. Have you relied on him through the years for counsel. I've relied on Congressman Evans innumerable times for advice and counsel about matters which come before the Congress. He's always ready with excellent advice. He he doesn't offer it unless you ask for it but when you ask for it he gives you excellent advise. And I have found myself asking him for advice. Quite often I'll call him on the telephone and we exchange correspondence

quite regularly and when I'm in Smithville near his home I often drop by for a visit and it's always enjoyable and always well worthwhile is an understatement because his penetrating judgments about public affairs are still some of the best you'll find anywhere. Recently Mr. Evans reminisced about his congressional career and talked about some of his mementos from that period of his life. I was sure from 1946 on to 19 and. 40 you know no. 46 to 76. Yes that's right 30 years as CEO. We retired the wise and 10 year of 76 and I went to Congress and 46 soldiers exactly 30 years served in the house. I served one of the longest and perhaps the longest from Tennessee. There Way back in the records there was someone other Coughlin served 30 years

but his was in and out. Mine was continuous. I think I served the longest continuous service of anyone from Tennessee in the house high accomplish most of my goals. Someone reminded me of a speech that I made my first year in which I said I'm not going to Congress as a knight in armor to reform and to conquer but I want to be useful. I had all particular things in mind but I knew as he went along you could you could be useful. I find that in being of service seniority counts immensely. Perhaps no place in the country to seniority count more than in the Congress. If you're a farmer you grew up to be a good farmer in the banking industry you start out as a teller or a clerk and you become president chairman the board. But in Congress and you become chairman of committee if you stay there long

enough and you're useful. The colleagues began to respect you because of your seniority and you can sort of gravitate to power. I say again the whole thing is in a way that seniority counts more so if you stay on you can be useful in the Congress. I had some exceptionally good committee assignments and I was lucky I became. I was fortunate but we accomplished a few things when some person a friend a well-meaning constituent told me said don't compromise. As one age and I thought to myself annoying the legislative process or legislation is a result of compromise. You must give a little and take give and take to get things accomplished. He my constitution has been called a bundle of compromises. Each state has

two senators and then the representation depending upon the population as it goes up and down. That was a compromise. The Rhode Island one isn't much representation of New York but they cover mild by giving them based upon population that's one example. But back to Senator Dirksen. He said one time and he was a very influential senator. He said I have an inflexible rule. To always be flexible I thought that was very sweet. And he will always be flexible. You have to be a little flexible to get things done and you can't. Five four hundred thirty five 535 members of Congress of the House and Senate. He's the man who has his views and you must respect. And you know if you say it by the way and passing it you House passes a situation the Senate passes something different. You go to conference and there you work out those differences we hear reports of that

every day. One of the funniest and one of the most effective members to work out the katra conference was sent to salt install of Massachusetts he was senator of Massachusetts he had been governor of masters and sometimes you get hard and fast. I think as they will let's give this and this take this and this make this and this put in this and he would work out the finest language and verse killed. And I thought was most effective. And helping arrive at a consensus. I like when our Republican friends and we cooperated. We work together and we have the two party system in our country and we believe in the two party system and we want to maintain the two party system. I actually gained an experience before going to Congress. I was in France after World War 2 and they had about 7 or 9 11 parties. This young party the left wing ploy of the right wing part of the US

part is latest ploy of the Christian Democrats the Magh old party and they had so many parties that they couldn't form a government. They were wrong to go all the re cast the Constitution and he put all power pretty much in the central government and he was able to form a go but I was impressed that they had servile elections they couldn't form a government so we believe in the two party system in our country and a two party system has served our country well and they're the best of friends they debate an issue and then they go out and have dinner together and even no reason why we should work together I think that's that's the best I've seen. Those that are not participating are member of the two parties as you are left out of the process. So we have a unique process and it works. I was just reading an article recently that said with all of the stalling and all the difficulties and all the reports of trials and distress in the Congress

our system of working our system works. Someone said one should never see. The Congress making laws all the home folks grinding making sausage. It's not altogether pleasant but it works. It gets a good product. Mr. Sam Rayburn once said to those who advocated a four year term for a member of Congress he said I have found that if you are a good man you won't have to worry about coming back to Congress. In my early days I advocated I would like that for your term but I thought if you're a good man they'll find it out and they'll return to return you. You not only have your own local constituency but you have the national interest at heart. Cornell hall was a Tennesseean but he was also a statesman. Andrew Jackson was a great Tennessean but he was also a great American. He said this Federal Union it must be preserved even in his early

administration. The. Racial maters of the south of the laws were merging and he said this Federal Union it must be preserved as some had the states riders say that they could nullify federal law all nullification. The group. If there's a conflict between the federal law under state law and the federal law prevails. The Supreme Court has said that the War Between The States has said that. But even while I was there petitions would be drawn to monitors. It to be paramount only for the states. One has to take a national point of view. I tried to take a national point if you love my people I love the district I love the state and I will have it to Tennessee in but also will almost have a national point of view. In 1076 the year of his retirement Joe Evans erected in an office

building on the square in Smithville. It is here on the third floor that he relaxes before the big picture window overlooking the main street. Occasionally visits with friends and on this Fourth of July weekend the minister about special moments during his career that are depicted in the photo gallery that lines his wells. This picture is one of a group of freshman congressman in the idiot Congress who call upon the President Truman and we visit him in his office and he said this is a fine group of young men please step out in the Rose Garden and let me have a picture maybe you will. And it just built in that way that I was standing right next to President Truman and just behind me who is John F. Kennedy who was a pleasure great in the future president. So I'm standing there about two presidents this is a visit documentation of a visit with President Truman there they Congress and the star all of them have all grafted including President Truman. This is Congressman Davis of

Atlanta. This is Congressman dean of North Carolina. This is Congressman burrows of the Texas and it was a group of classmates calling upon President Truman. This is a picture of a group of congressmen who visited with Mayor John Lindsay of New York City this is Mayor Lindsay at Graceland. This is the home of the mayor of New York City. And we were their own turf and we call by the same Incidentally I see in the picture is now Mayor Karsh Kale C-h of New York City used to be a future mayor but this was a visit with Mayor John F. Menzies who had served in Congress before becoming mayor of New York. Most of these letters are dated 1969 and they're from President Richard Nixon. Written to me. And he is sending a pen and signing two of my bills I had

asked for them by then that request them but this one is for signing appropriations bills for him to put in all his housing and development. And this one is for the public works and atomic energy appropriation bill. I was chairman of two committees or proper A subcommittees and when he signed the bill he sent me the Pens signing the bill into law. I thought it was a very nice and gracious and nice of him and I appreciated receiving the defense making the appropriation bills come into law this is a souvenir program or the dedication of the federal building at all grades to see its a five million dollar federal building office building that I was given the key by the General Services Administration. It signified to Oakridge at least that the city was permanent. It had a lot of temporary barracks type buildings. But when they were built a permanent federal building. This is the brokerage felt

more secure that they were a permanent city. What this picture represents of course its a picture of Mr. James Webb the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration a space program appearing before our subcommittee will probably work appropriation with the first three astronauts John Dillinger and Alan Shepherd. And go screw. Who remembers Gus Grissom lost his life in the Astrodome in their space shuttle and under far he's the one that lost his life but John Glenn was yes not that first of all the dear earth. He is a very celebrated of all the astronauts. Some 15 of them now think of more. This is this is John Bullitt astronaut John Glenn. They had a picture merited our Subcommittee on Appropriations. This was chairman Albert Thomas of Houston Texas and chair of the committee and I succeeded him as chairman. And this is a picture of a group of House of Representatives and

Senators were the Congress visiting with President Johnson advocating the development of the Tennessee Tombigbee waterway this is true of Mississippi Kentucky Alabama Tennessee piece if you're interested in the Tennessee Tombigbee waterway development which is now more than 80 percent complete. This is this display the pictures of God colleagues in the Congress in our trophy room here in the bicentennial building movers who have served in the Congress and some of the presidents on there will be wiser for this is this is an industry going to $4 and that was Senator Gruninger of the Alaska the first senator from Alaska. It will became the 49 state and he came in to me lobbying with me to vote for Alaska for statehood and he said you know all that Alaska is more on the left of the Tennessee plan you know he says I love the TVA. He said I'm still fond of chordal hall

and he said our plan of admission is to pass a resolution just like the Tennessee plan I said well Senator you're getting close to me how we would afford Alaska was adopted this state and he became the first senator. He was working with what he wanted he would. He knew that if it became a state he would probably be a senator. That's simply really no less good. I was called for what it was when he was signing a bill in which I was interested in and participated and I appreciated so much the NRA when he came here. Bill this is a display of gavels for a president to maybe for presiding over the House of Representatives in the Congress and presiding over some committees this week. And here it is presented to me Speaker Sam Rayburn have to have presided over a bill Levine presented you with a girl. This was presented to me was speaker McCormick. This one has presided over the Small Business Committee. This

go here was it is made from wood from the White House when the White House was run a boom on the present drum and they sold pieces of wood that it got home with made probably as well for golf in the White House from presiding over the Congress and providing who were so committed to the House of Representatives. Mr. Evans talks with me when needed KC a friend a neighbor about his hometown and some of the changes that have occurred there over the years. Will this Grow old along we may do quite a bit of progress and we are proud of our own homegrown not like the old congressman that did their scheme once said you've been here 25 or 30 years and I guess you seen lots of change. Evan did and he said yes and I begin to begin all over it. Well I haven't been that gives the brokers I have been for brokers.

Yes I know you have and many employees since I've just been here must say I found out it's for have we have been in favor of building a new courthouse. Much interesting coming into the area we're quite spread out knowing we when you go of course and Country Club and we have the lake with recreation and we have the opera legend center for craft which is attracting a lot of interest and it's a very fine facility and we have some new municipal buildings and their own tone and industry we roll out of the Chamber of Commerce somebody said the other member of Carters there's three things he's a lawmaker and he's a public servant and their own boy and he's also old good Chamber of Commerce member so in this role of being the advocate saying we're as your temper go remember we're we're old we're proud of our phone one of my favorite feelings is the feeling that way and now this is the

bicentennial failing. Can I ask you what leads you to fail they say well it was a bus and they would hear that I retired from the Congress. Actually the chamber of commerce officials wrote me a letter and the federal government was making grants for public demonstrations fall in Boston 10 a year to have some projects and they asked me to restore the old mill deteriorated and I wrote back I said No I'll not be able to restore the old bill as a boson tenure project until after I'm out of Congress. But when I retired my wife said to me jokingly said No you've been going to the office every day for 30 years so you've got to have an office you can go to your kids hang around the house and so I decided to build me a law office. Two stories one to read and one to use and the architect said well I'm going up three floors it will be there and people needed it people use it so we decided on a

three story building. This is my own personal little project in my own little building that was personally financed but not for the finest I hasten to say that but. I call it the bus and you're building because it was either not retard Gunner's someone said I'm not retired. I'm seeking retirement. There's an old story that a member of Congress if he serves or long does not go back to Peoria. With these people they come and say well I voted for you my father voted for you. Can't you help me with this. And you just cannot say no. And you don't want to say you know it's difficult to say no. I have tried to refer many moderates to Senator Gore and and Senator Sasser Congressman Gore and Senator Baker. But still people come and want you to do it there was a lady came to me within the last 10 days. She came from Obama to help

her with a matter of a song I had been injured in work for the government and some workman's compensation problem. And I said why don't you refer this to your Alabama congressman. She said I did I tried to but I was told to come see you and I would have commented. I don't know about all the success that she wanted but you. Never full retard. I said when I first came back I went to my own office every day of the week and calls and requests continued. They were beginning to taper off and they have tapered off. But I said I was doing the same work that I did in Congress except I didn't have the privilege of voting. So I'm happy to be able to do that but a lot of stay in Washington a lot of the world of Florida. When you come back home you're

accessible This is where I want to be. This is where I want to retire. It might be only once. And in a person's life time that he or she comes to know a person of the stature of Joel Adams. He's a he's a beloved man a man for impeccable character a man of great vision but a man who has things. Joe L. Evans former United States congressman from the 4th District who died Saturday in Nashville of a heart attack was buried yesterday at his hometown of Smithville. Mr. Evans who retired from Congress in 1976 at the height of his powers served his district and his country with distinction for 30 years. Undoubtedly one of the most powerful men ever to serve in the United States Congress. Joe Evans was also one of the most humble and compassionate. He worked tirelessly throughout his years in Washington to improve the quality of life for his constituents and for all Americans. His

determination to do his best for the 4th District and all of Tennessee earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him. To those who knew him best he was not only an able public servant but a friend as well. He will be greatly missed. At.