James H. Quillen Chronology

1916: Born at Wayland, Va., on January 11. (Photograph)

1934: Graduates from Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, Tenn. (Photograph)

1936: Establishes the Kingsport Mirror newspaper. (Masthead)

1939: Establishes the Johnson City Times newspaper.

1942 - 1946: Served in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Antietam, being honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant. (Photograph)

1952: Marries Cecile Cox on August 9. (Invitation)

1954: Wins first elected office as a member of Tennessee House of Representatives, where he eventually becomes minority leader. He will serve in this position until his election to Congress. (Photograph)

1962: Elected to his first term as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee's First Congressional District. He will be re-elected to this office sixteen times. (Campaign Flyer)

1968: Public Law 90-381, the "Flag" bill sponsored by Mr. Quillen becomes law making it illegal to desecrate the American flag. (Bill)

1972: The "Veterans' Administration Medical School Assistance and Health Manpower Training Act of 1972," commonly known as the Teague-Cranston bill, which Mr. Quillen co-sponsored, becomes law. (Photograph)

1974: Tennessee General Assembly approves a medical school for ETSU following years of political effort by Mr. Quillen. The first class is enrolled in 1978 and graduates in 1982. (Headline)

1989: The ETSU medical school is named in honor of Congressman Quillen as the James H. Quillen College of Medicine.

1994: Quillen Chair of Excellence in Education at East Tennessee State University established in his honor. (Web Link)

1997: Retires from Congress as the longest continuously serving member of the House of Representatives in Tennessee history. (Headline)