I wish to pay tribute to the life and achievements of a man who was a respected businessman and civic leader in my congressional district, Mr. John Lee Anthony, who recently passed away at the age of 60.  

John was an invaluable member of the El Dorado, Arkansas, community.  An esteemed and involved business leader, John served as president, chief executive officer and director of Anthony Forest Products Company, one of the region’s leading timber producers and manufacturers.  While maintaining his many responsibilities with the company, he also took time to serve the people of El Dorado in many capacities.  He was a director of Simmons First Bank of El Dorado, a director of the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club, a member of the El Dorado Rotary Club, and a director of Bozeman Park.

In addition to his service to Arkansas, John also represented the timber industry in many positions.  He served as a director of the American Forest and Paper Association in Washington, D.C., and was a two-time president of the American Institute of Timber Construction in Denver, Colorado.

 John Lee Anthony will long be remembered for his important contributions to the timber industry as well as his community.  His passing is a great loss not only to those who knew him well, but to the people of El Dorado and all of South Arkansas.   My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Pat, his son, Dr. John Lee Anthony, Jr., his daughters, Michele and Andrea, and all his family and friends.