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June 26, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels February 28, 2004 A tribute to the Hannons By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings It's truly a wonderful life for Lenn Hannon. With his wife Dixie tightly grasping his hand, and his children and grandchildren behind them, surrounded on a stage full of friends and colleagues, Hannon was simply overwhelmed with emotion as the community paid tribute to him and his wife for their contributions to the area and the state. "It's been a distinguished honor and privilege to serve you," an emotional Hannon told the by-invitation only crowd at the Center Stage Theatre at Southern Oregon University on Friday. "I'm so humbled. I don't know if words could adequately express our heartfelt gratitude." Lenn and Dixie Hannon laugh at jokes made by speakers representing of community groups such as local government, business groups and educational groups during the "Tribute to Lenn and Dixie Hannon" at Southern Oregon University Friday afternoon. Satsuki Doi | Ashland Daily Tidings The "Tribute to Lenn and Dixie Hannon" was a way for the community to give thanks to a man who is admired for giving it his all to serve the people of the region and state the best way he knew how. And that way was to speak the truth and do what he felt was best for those he served, which the Republican and former Democrat did by crossing party lines on many occasions. Hannon, 60, of Ashland, served as a state senator for District 3 for 30 years, before announcing his resignation in December to take a seat on the State Board of Parole and Post Prison Supervision. He expressed gratitude to Dixie, who worked side-by-side with him in his Salem office, playing a vital part in his success and being the anchor for Hannon and their five children. "Through thick and thin this lady here raised me up," he said. A distinguished panel of colleagues, and those from numerous fields such as education and business, spoke in praise of Lenn and Dixie Hannon. Those who spoke at the event included former Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh, Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, former U.S. Reps. Les AuCoin and Bob Smith, state Rep. Alan Bates of Ashland, Paul Nicholson, executive director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Richard Jarvis, chancellor of the Oregon University System. Walden, who served with Hannon in the Legislature, said after the tribute that he admired Hannon's sincerity and dedication to those he served. "He represented everything good about public service," he said. "He went (to Salem) ... to serve the community. He's a hero." Atiyeh told the crowd Hannon will be missed in the senate. "You never miss the water, till the well runs dry," he said. Bates, who is running for Hannon's vacant seat, expressed his admiration by saying, "You're one of the finest men I ever met," and giving him a hug. Lenn and Dixie Hannon were recently honored by SOU, which announced last week they had named the school library after them. The library is undergoing a $23.5 million renovation project that is scheduled to be completed in March of 2005. Hannon, with assistance from Dixie, played a vital role in securing funding for the library, as well as several other projects at the school throughout his tenure. Hannon also was credited for securing millions of dollars for improvements to Southern Oregon roads, as well as funds for projects such as the New Theatre at OSF. On the state level, he helped craft the Oregon Health Plan, to have health insurance carriers treat mental health issues as they would any other type of illness, and to support stable funding for state police and firefighters. The event included a video tribute that focused on the life of Hannon, who was born and raised in Ashland, and graduated from both Ashland High School and SOU. The video featured highlights of Hannon on the floor of the senate speaking his mind, and pictures of him as a young child and teen. Interesting facts about Hannon included that he lost his first election, running for the Ashland School Board, by 11 votes. In 1974, he won his first term in the senate by only 48 votes. In his 30 years in the senate, Hannon went through 15 legislative sessions, and was on more than 40 committees. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams