[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 73 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: June 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO JACK VAUGHAN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr.
Darden] is recognized during morning business for 5 minutes.
Mr. DARDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Representative Jack Vaughan, one of the youngest and brightest members
of the Georgia House of Representatives. Jack died on Saturday at the
age of 33 after battling brain cancer for 4 years.
Mr. Speaker, Jack Vaughan started in politics with a mission to serve
the people and he continued that mission until his untimely death. He
amazed his colleagues and his constituents when he returned to the work
of the people at the State capitol only 2 weeks after surgery earlier
this year.
During his three terms in the State house, Jack became well-known as
a tireless worker and a coalition builder. He worked with his
colleagues, regardless of their party, to get things done for the
people. His example of leadership is one we here should all follow.
I had the pleasure of knowing Jack virtually all of his life. His
family and my family attend the same church--the First United Methodist
Church of Marietta, GA. At one time, I was Jack's Sunday school teacher
during his senior year of high school.
He always impressed me with his sincerity, integrity, and enthusiasm.
Also, I had the pleasure of knowing his loving wife, Diane, before her
marriage to Jack. Several years ago I was thrilled to learn that they
planned to marry and make their home in Marietta. They have a young
son, John Dixon Vaughan III, who was the pride of Jack's life. Jack was
a sixth-generation Mariettan and I have had the privilege of knowing
three of those generations going back to his grandparents, the Griggs
and the Vaughans.
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Diane and son
John, his parents Jack and Gretchen, his sisters Sally and Mary, his
brother Hal, and all his wonderful family in this very difficult time.
I submit for the Record an article from the June 12, 1994, edition of
the Marietta Daily Journal.
Jack Vaughan, ``Committed,'' ``Courageous,'' Dies at 33--State Lawmaker
From West Cobb Loses 4-Year Battle With Cancer
(By Bill Kinney)
State Rep. Jack Vaughn, R-west Cobb, died Saturday at the
age of 33 after succumbing in a four-year battle with cancer.
Rep. Vaughan's brain tumor was diagnosed in May 1990 during
his first term in the House. After surgery, he recovered
quickly and did not miss any of the session.
He underwent a second operation in early January when the
tumor reappeared.
He recently spent two days at Emory University Hospital
undergoing tests he jokingly called a ``tune up,'' saying
afterwards that he felt ``great.''
On April 25, Vaughan announced he would not seek a fourth
two-year term in the Georgia Legislature, citing the need to
devote more time to his family and the possibility of
entering Candler School of Theology at Emory University this
fall.
Rep. Lynda Coker, R-east Cobb and chairwoman of the Cobb
delegation, was Rep. Vaughan's House seatmate for four years
and said the news of his death ``left me just kind of
empty.''
Over the past few months of Rep. Vaughan's illness, she
said she has had an opportunity to reflect ``not only on the
courage that Jack, his wife Diane and the family have shown
to us, but also the wonderful things about him.''
Rep. Coker, who has been involved in local and state
politics for more than a decade, said she has ``never met
anyone more committed to serving the people. That was the
most important thing to Jack, his opportunity to serve. He
was proud of that.''
Rep. Vaughan was first elected to the state House in 1988
after defeating Marietta lawyer Ronnie Knighton in the
Republican primary, then in the general election won over
Democrat and Marietta lawyer Irma Glover.
Rep. Vaughan met his wife, Diane, while both were working
in Washington, he as an aide to both Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-
east Cobb, and former Sen. Pete Wilson who is now governor of
California.
Rep. Gingrich said Saturday he was proud to call Rep.
Vaughan a friend and even prouder to say ``that Jack launched
his political career as an interim in my Washington office
and later served as press secretary.''
He described Rep. Vaughan's career in the state Legislature
as ``one of service to Cobb County,'' and added that even in
his long battle with cancer ``Jack was an inspiration as he
continued to serve the public and sought service rather than
sympathy.
``Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Diane and their son, as
well as his parents and family,'' Rep. Gingrich said.
Had he run this summer for a fourth term, Rep. Vaughan was
not expected to have opposition either from within his party
in the July 19 GOP primary or from the Democratic Party in
the general election.
A Marietta native, Rep. Vaughan graduated from Marietta
High School in 1979. The Marietta High School Foundation
recently named him its ``Alumni of the Year'' for 1994.
He graduated in 1983 from Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky.,
with a degree in English.
Rep. Vaughan served six years in the Georgia House of
Representatives. His committee assignments included the
influential Ways and Means, Health and Ecology, Natural
Resources and Environment, Industrial Relations and
Retirement. Rep. Vaughan was an insurance executive with The
Insurance Store of Marietta.
He served on the administrative board of the First United
Methodist Church of Marietta, as well as serving on the
finance and usher committees and played in the church's wind
ensemble.
He was a 1987 graduate of Leadership Cobb and served on the
board of the North Cobb Unit of the American Cancer Society.
He was a member of Marietta Kiwanis Club, the Cheatham Hill
and Red Rock Community clubs and many other civic
associations.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Marietta First
United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Charles A. Sineath Jr.
officiating. Burial will be in Kennesaw Memorial Park
Cemetery in Marietta.
The body will be at the church at 10 a.m.
A sixth-generation Mariettan, Vaughan is survived by his
wife, Diane Brown Vaughan; son, John Dixon Vaughan, III;
parents, Jack and Gretchen Vaughan of Marietta; two sisters,
Sally Reichert of Marietta and Mary Fortenberry of Kennesaw;
brother, Hal Vaughan, of Acworth and grandmother, Sarah
Frances Griggs of Austell; and several brothers-in-law and
sisters-in-law, as well as nieces and nephews.
His late grandparents include Harold Griggs and Otis and
Katherine Vaughan, all formerly of Marietta.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9
p.m. Monday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American
Cancer Society, Cobb County Unit, 1256 North Cobb Parkway,
Suite 102, Marietta, Georgia 30062.
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