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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 28, 2004 Ashland honors the Hannons By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Lenn Hannon was simply overwhelmed. His wife, Dixie, tightly grasped his hand, his children and grandchildren stood behind him and the family was surrounded on a stage filled by friends and colleagues. Hannon, a longtime state senator who recently resigned to take a state job, found words hard to come by as the community paid tribute to him and his wife Friday for their contributions to the area and the state. "It’s been a distinguished honor and privilege to serve you," Hannon told the by-invitation-only crowd at the Center Stage Theatre at Southern Oregon University. "I’m so humbled . . . I don’t know if words could adequately express our heartfelt gratitude." The "Tribute to Lenn and Dixie Hannon" was a community thank-you to a man who earned friends and foes alike in the state by following his beliefs even when they didn’t match those of his party. Hannon, 60, of Ashland, served as a state senator for the Ashland-area district for 30 years, before announcing his resignation in December to take a seat on the State Board of Parole and Post Prison Supervision. Advertisement He expressed gratitude to Dixie, crediting her for working side-by-side with him in Salem and being the anchor for him and their five children "Through thick and thin this lady here raised me up," he said. Those who spoke at the event included former Oregon Gov. Victor Atiyeh, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, U.S. Congressman Greg Walden, and former U.S. congressmen Les AuCoin and Bob Smith. Walden, who served with Hannon in the Legislature, said afterward it was important for him and others to honor Hannon’s contributions. "He represented everything good about public service," he said. "He went (to Salem) for the same reasons he had when he left, to serve the community. He’s a hero." Lenn and Dixie Hannon were honored by SOU, which announced Feb. 20 that the school library would be named after them. The library is undergoing a $23.5 million renovation project that is scheduled to be completed in March 2005. Hannon played a vital role in securing funding for the library, as well as several other projects at the school throughout his tenure. The event included a video tribute that focused on the life of Hannon, from highlights of him on the floor of the Senate speaking his mind, to the election in which he won his first term in the Senate by only 48 votes. Bill Choy is a reporter for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers