{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "rows": [["CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2142", "2006-12-08", 109, 2, null, null, "HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. HOOPER MATTHEWS, JR.", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E2142", "E2142", "[{\"name\": \"Jo Bonner\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "152 Cong. Rec. E2142", "Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2142]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n            HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. HOOPER MATTHEWS, JR.\n\n                                 ______\n\n                             HON. JO BONNER\n\n                               of alabama\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006\n\n  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Escambia County and indeed the entire state\nof Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him\nand pay tribute to his memory. Mr. Hooper Matthews, Jr., known as ``Big\nHoop'' to his children and grandchildren, was a devoted family man and\ndedicated community leader throughout his life.\n  Hooper was born in Nashville but made his way to Atmore, Alabama, in\n1948. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he earned a\ndegree in Forestry, which he used while managing his family timberlands\nas a registered forester. He also owned the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of\nAtmore and South Alabama Vending Company. He was awarded the Atmore\nArea Chamber of Commerce's lifetime achievement award in 2005.\n  Hooper was a strong believer in the future of Atmore. His work as\npresident of the A.C. Moore Elementary PTA as well as his work on the\nboard of directors of Escambia Academy exemplified his vision for\ncreating a strong foundation in the community's children.\n  He also supported programs such as Read America, the Huxford\nElementary School Reading Initiative, scouting events, the YMCA, and\ndrug and alcohol education, to name just a few of his many pet\nprojects.\n  Not only did Hooper give back to Atmore through his work with\nchildren, but he contributed in more ways than most people might\nrealize to Atmore's economic viability through his business ventures.\n  His work with the Atmore Chamber of Commerce, where he served as a\npast president, brought Masland Carpets to the area and raised funds\nfor Atmore schools as well as The American Cancer Society, The American\nHeart Association, Williams Station Day, Mayfest, and the Poarch Band\nof Creek Indians.\n  Even with his numerous professional obligations, Hooper always found\ntime to share his love for the land with anyone and everyone who was\ninterested.\n  Many a child in south Alabama shot their first deer by his side, and\non any given day, you could expect to see someone hunting with him. His\nkind generosity touched many people throughout the First District but\nwas felt with the most warmth back at home. He always had an infectious\nsmile on his face and a love for people that was real and genuine.\n  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a\ndedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama.\nHooper Matthews, Jr., loved life and lived it to the fullest, and his\npassing marks a tremendous loss for all of south Alabama. He will be\ndeeply missed by many, most especially his family and the countless\nfriends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at\nthis difficult time.\n\n                          ____________________"]], "columns": ["granule_id", "date", "congress", "session", "volume", "issue", "title", "chamber", "granule_class", "sub_granule_class", "page_start", "page_end", "speakers", "bills", "citation", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["granule_id"], "primary_key_values": ["CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2142"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7926318794488907, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}