Sanford Bishop

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart bowed in sorrow and yet uplifted by gratitude to honor the life of Mayor William Barry Whitley--a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, gifted craftsman, faithful public servant, and a man whose quiet goodness left an imprint on Butler, Taylor County, and all who knew him. Sadly, Mayor Whitley passed away on April 18, 2026. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held today, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Butler, Georgia. Mayor Whitley lived loudly in the small, sacred ways that truly matter. In a humble workshop where the scent of oak and polish mingled with patient hands, he restored more than furniture--he restored memories. As the proprietor of Whitley Furniture Clinic from 1995 until his final days, Mayor Whitley gave back to countless families the heirlooms of lives lived: a table that held generations of meals, a chair that rocked a newborn to sleep, a dresser that carried a lifetime of stories. His skill was not only craftsmanship but care. Mayor Whitley's life of service reached far beyond the workbench. He served his hometown with steady devotion--on city council, the development authority, the board of health, municipal associations, and as mayor. In every role he carried the same easy smile, the same unhurried kindness, the same instinct to put others first. Leadership for him was not a platform for praise but a quiet obligation to make his city and community better. He made decisions not for recognition but because people mattered. Mayor Whitley's journey was also one of education and service. A graduate of Georgia Southwestern in Americus with a degree in business, he later earned his degree in mortuary science from Gupton-Jones College--a life that combined practical skill, compassion, and the solemn dignity of caring for families at their most fragile moments. In both professions he restored beauty and honored persons with tenderness and respect. There is a line from President John F. Kennedy that seems to sit gently beside Mayor Whitley's life: ``Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.'' Barry's efforts were constant; his courage was quiet; his purpose--to serve, to give, to love--was clear as day. He showed up for his family and for his community with direction rooted in faith and humility. He loved his family fiercely-- Cindi, his children, and his grandchildren were his greatest joy and the center of his life. We grieve the empty chair at the workbench, the silence in the arena, the mornings without his smile. Yet we give thanks for the mercy that he left this life surrounded by family, moments after laughter and love, and for the legacy of care he planted in his city and in hearts. In Philippians we are reminded to press on toward the goal--and Mayor Whitley ran that race with joy; eyes fixed on a truer horizon (Philippians 3:12-14). Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join my wife Vivian and I in offering our deepest condolences to the Whitley family, to the people of Butler and Taylor County, and to everyone who was blessed by Mayor Whitley's gentle service. May we honor him by living with the same generous hands, steady courage, and loving purpose that marked his days. May his memory be a comfort and his example a guiding light.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose life was a testament to courage, faith, and selfless service: Reverend Johnnie Johnson, Jr. An event to celebrate his courage and remarkable life is being held today, Monday, April 20, 2026, at Crew Quarters in Albany, Georgia. Born May 28, 1940, in Albany, Georgia, the eldest of nine children, Johnnie Johnson learned early the value of work, family, and faith. He joined Bethel A.M.E. Church as a boy, married the love of his life, Thelma Champion, in 1958, and raised five children. Yet it was his willingness to stand, even when standing cost him everything, which marks his life as extraordinary. In 1972, Reverend Johnson became the primary plaintiff in a class action suit against the City of Albany and its officials to challenge entrenched, unjust employment practices that denied Black men and women the dignity of equal work and fair wages. He did not bring that fight for glory or gain. He brought it because he believed--with every fiber of his being--that every person deserves to be judged by their ability, not the color of their skin; that fairness is the birthright of a free people. He led a courageous walkout of some 260 Black city employees, demanding what was rightfully theirs. The court found in favor of the plaintiffs, and the decision opened doors that had long been locked. But the victory was bitter-sweet. Reverend Johnson paid a steep personal price. He was not rehired by the city. He faced economic hardship, rumors meant to shame him, and the pain of displacement that comes when a community you love turns its back on you for doing right. For a time, he sought work and refuge in Charleston, South Carolina, where he found only temporary solace and short-term employment. Yet the news of his stand in Albany followed him, and the pull of home--and the cause he served--drew him back. Reverend Johnson mustered the courage to return to Albany despite the risks to his reputation and employability, choosing fidelity to his family and community over the easier path of exile. His return marked a new chapter of resilience. He became a barber and earned master barber certification. He transformed a barber's chair into a sanctuary of counsel, dignity, and hope. Countless customers were touched by him, and many young barbers learned their trade and their character under his tutelage. Answering a divine call in 1996, he was licensed to preach on June 10, 1996, blending his roles as barber, reverend, and civil rights champion without a trace of bitterness. As the late Congressman John Lewis counseled those who move the Nation forward, ``Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.'' Reverend Johnson's life embodied that counsel--he made the necessary trouble to open doors for others, and he bore the consequences with dignity. On January 11, 2000, Albany lost a beloved son, but his legacy lives on through those that he touched by his one act of courage. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join my wife Vivian and I, along with the 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life of Reverend Johnnie Johnson, Jr. His life reminds us that the work of justice is often carried forward by ordinary people who do extraordinary things. He taught us that sacrifice for the common good is never in vain and that dignity can never be taken from a man who refuses to let hatred define him. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Reverend Johnson's memory--a memory that calls us to rededicate ourselves to the ideals he lived: courage in the face of intimidation, compassion in the face of suffering, and an unfailing belief in the worth of every human being. May God bless his legacy and may we all strive to walk in his footsteps.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 2555.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, with a heart overflowing with gratitude, reverence, and admiration, to recognize a man whose life has been a living sermon, Apostle Felix Revills, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the leadership of Evangelical Faith Vision Ministries, Incorporated. An event to celebrate this singular event will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Evangelical Faith Vision Ministries in Albany, Georgia. There are leaders whose names are known; and then there are leaders whose lives are felt. Apostle Revills is the latter. For two decades, he has not only shepherded a congregation, he has tended the hearts of a people, mended broken spirits, and lit lamps in dark places. He leads a network of more than twenty churches across our Nation, and into the streets and homes of Port-au-Prince and the Dominican Republic, his ministry has reached far beyond brick and mortar. It has gone where the pain is raw, where hope is fragile, and where the promise of new beginnings is most desperately needed. Born into a legacy of faith nurtured by Chief Apostle Dr. Isaiah and Dr. Ullainee S. Revills, Apostle Felix inherited more than a name, he inherited a charge to care. But he did not rest on inheritance alone. He answered his country's call in the United States Marine Corps, learned the discipline of service, and then translated that discipline into spiritual warfare against despair and injustice. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Albany State University, not merely to add letters after his name, but to steward resources wisely and create sustainable change for those he serves. I think of the faces who have walked through EFVM's doors and found God's Amazing Grace. They are the living, breathing proof that Apostle Revills' calling is not theoretical, it is incarnational. Apostle Felix leads with a rare combination of fierce conviction and tender humility. He preaches with passion, yes, but he also sits at hospital bedsides, shows up at kitchen tables, and listens in the silent hours when prayer is the only currency left. He founded the New Visions Community Development Corporation and the Young Lions Mentoring Program because he knows that salvation is both spiritual and practical. He built institutions that teach, feed, mentor, and uplift, because faith without works is dead, and he will not allow emptiness to stand long where he can build. He stands with his beloved First Lady Andrea Revills in a partnership forged in Christ and deep affection. Their marriage, a true covenant of friendship and sacrifice, has nurtured four remarkable children and welcomed the joy of a grandson. Their home has been a refuge for families, for weary ministers, and for young people seeking counsel. In their love you see the Gospel lived in the ordinary moments, in prayers before meals, in the laughter that follows mistakes, and in quiet steadiness when storms come. Apostle Revills' voice reaches beyond pulpit and pew through EFVM's broadcast, ``The Latter Rain,'' and through his written word in ``Close the Door on Your Way Out.'' Yet even as his influence grows, he models a humility that insists the glory belongs to God alone. He carries honors without pride, responsibilities without show, and every success as an opportunity to lift someone else. There is a tenderness about his leadership that moves people to tears because it taps into something ancient and timeless: the longing to be seen, to be known, to be loved. We thank him for his patriotism--for the years he served our Nation in uniform--and for bringing that same disciplined love into the civic life of Albany and beyond. We celebrate his membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, his partnership with community initiatives, and his hands- on leadership in building institutions that endure. We honor his commitment to international outreach, where the love of Christ has crossed oceans to meet crying children and weary families. Twenty years is more than a milestone--it is a mosaic of lives transformed. Every program launched, every sermon preached, every hand held in the night, every meal served, every life redirected toward hope is a tessera in that mosaic. Behind each one is a story of pain met with compassion, of isolation met with welcome, of despair met with faith-driven action. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join my wife Vivian, and I along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Apostle Felix Revills. We pledge to support the work of ministers like Apostle Felix Revills who bind community wounds with the salve of gospel love. We pray for continued health and wisdom for him and First Lady Andrea Revills. We pray for their children and their grandchild. We pray that Evangelical Faith Vision Ministries will continue to be a lighthouse for those tossed upon the seas of life. May God grant Apostle Revills many more years of fruitful labor. May his hands never tire, his voice never falter, and his heart never lose its compassion. And may the thousands who have found refuge under his care continue to rise and carry forward the healing he has sown. I honor Apostle Revills on this blessed 20th anniversary--a shepherd, a patriot, a husband, a father, and a servant whose life has summoned tears of grief and joy, for in both he has shown us the face of God's steadfast love.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, as dean of Georgia's congressional delegation, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to the Honorable Clay Fuller. Welcome, Clay. Our delegation is diverse, and we are passionate about how we best represent the great State of Georgia. However, most of all, something I am very proud of is that we still find a way to work together across the aisle, even as we have our diverse interests, particularly when subjects impact the people of the great State of Georgia, wherever they might live, to make our State continue to be the best State in America to do business. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus, I appreciate Mr. Fuller's background as an airman and air guardsman, and the tireless contributions of his family to help him get to where he is today. Congratulations, Kate, and your two beautiful children. Clay, I know that you will be a champion for rural Georgia, a passion that we can share in common. I look forward to the opportunities ahead to collaborate. On a personal note, I am happy to see another Emory University alumnus and a practicing attorney join the ranks of public service in Congress from the great State of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott), my dear friend and colleague from the Eighth Congressional District, my neighbor, the senior and longest serving Republican in the Georgia delegation.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Georgia, the Honorable Clay Fuller, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate a remarkable Georgian and beloved broadcaster, Karla Heath-Sands, upon her induction into the 2026 Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame on March 27, 2026, at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Karla's journey began in Brunswick, Georgia, the daughter of Martha Heath Johnson. A bright and determined student, she attended St. Athanasius Episcopal Church Kindergarten, Sidney Lanier Elementary School, Glynn Middle School, and Glynn Academy High School before earning her B.A. in English from Mercer University. From those small coastal-town beginnings, Karla set forth on a life of purpose, poise, and public service. For more than three decades the people of Middle and Southwest Georgia have welcomed Karla into their homes--at noon, in the evening, and in the quiet of reflection--because she brought more than headlines and weather reports; she brought heart. Beginning her broadcasting career in 1989 at WMAZ-TV and joining WALB in 1997, Karla became a steady, compassionate voice on the air: anchor of the noon newscast and host of ``Dialogue,'' a program that lifted up community concerns, brought neighbors together, and reminded us that every person's story matters. Karla's career has been one of many stages and many calls to serve. She has sung on stages from Six Flags to international festivals, competed in pageants with dignity, appeared on national programs, and lent her talent to music and ministry alike. Her gifts earned her the Georgia Association of Broadcasters' ``GABBY'' award for Best On-Air Personality and now, a rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Yet the awards tell only a small part of the story. Behind Karla's public presence is a life rooted in faith, family, and community. She is a devoted member of Bethel AME Church, a former board member of Girls, Inc. of Albany and Albany Technical College, a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and an active member of the Albany chapter of The Links, Inc. Karla's work has inspired young women, uplifted civic life, and strengthened the cultural fabric of our region. Through every accomplishment, Karla has been sustained by family. She is the loving wife of W. Louis Sands, Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, and a proud mother of two. Their partnership has been one of mutual support--a marriage that has shown our community what it means to balance public responsibilities with private devotion. The care and encouragement they give one another are as much a part of Karla's legacy as her voice on the air. Today, we celebrate a life that has used platform for purpose. Karla Heath-Sands has taught us how to tell stories with compassion, to ask the right questions with humility, and to amplify the hopes of those whose voices might otherwise go unheard. Her induction into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame is not only an honor of a career well done--it is an affirmation of a life spent lifting others. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me along with the more that than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in congratulating Karla Heath-Sands on this distinguished recognition and in giving thanks for her unwavering commitment to truth, service, and community. May her example continue to light the way for young broadcasters and public servants across our state and Nation.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Retired Sergeant First Class Willie B. Granville, Sr., of Columbus, Georgia, who passed away on March 27, 2026, at the age of 91. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable life was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Pinehurst Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. Born July 12, 1934, in Bonaire, Georgia, Mr. Granville answered the call to service at the age of 16 when he enlisted in the United States Army. He served his Nation with distinction for thirty years and retired from Fort Benning on April 30, 1980, with the rank of Sergeant First Class. Following his military career, he continued to serve the Fort Benning community as a Motor Vehicle Operator with the Federal Government from August 11, 1980, until his retirement on March 31, 1997. During his years of service, he received numerous awards recognizing his dedication to safety, logistics, and mission support, including contributions during Operation Desert Storm. A man of deep faith, Mr. Granville gave his life to Christ on March 5, 1978, and became a faithful member of Pinehurst Baptist Church, where he served for 48 years. He led the church transportation ministry and personally drove the church bus so families without transportation could attend services. A devoted Mason, he was a member of Mt. Pisgah No. 53, PHA, and his commitment to community, brotherhood, and service was evident in every aspect of his life. Mr. Granville was also a devoted family man and a familiar, beloved presence throughout Fort Benning and Columbus. He earned his high school diploma from Jordan Vocational Night School later in life, exemplifying perseverance and a commitment to lifelong learning. Known affectionately as the ``Peanut Man'' by many soldiers and community members, he combined hard work and entrepreneurship with warmth and hospitality. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and cherishing time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren--who lovingly called him ``Granddaddy.'' ``As General Colin L. Powell so wisely said, `There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.' This truth was lived each day by Willie Granville.'' Mr. Granville is survived by his children, Tony Lee (Tina) Granville, Chris Cha (Kenneth) Felton, and Willie B. (Miszi) Granville, Jr.; eleven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Dorothy Granville, Ida Morgan, and Roxie Walker; his special friend Anna Foster; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel ``Radney'' Granville; his parents, Deacon General Granville, Sr. and Hattie Dumas Granville; sisters Betty and Evelyn Granville; and brothers Jessie, General, Jr., Roosevelt, Hollis, and Johnnie Granville, Sr. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life of Mr. Willie Granville, Sr. His life was a testament to duty, faith, and community. His steadfast commitment to his fellow soldiers, his church, and his neighbors left an indelible mark on all who knew him. I join his family, friends, and the Columbus community in mourning his loss and in giving thanks for his many years of faithful service. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to future generations.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of gratitude and a voice that remembers the countless evenings when a familiar presence brought comfort to homes across Columbus and south Georgia-- Ms. Dee Armstrong--on the occasion of her induction into the 2026 Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame on March 27, 2026, at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. There are lives whose passing of time reads like a steady, comforting heartbeat in a community. Dee's life and career have been that steady pulse--a presence many of us leaned on in moments of joy and sorrow, a voice that announced births, mourned losses, celebrated triumphs, and called us to care for one another. She began that calling as a teenager, balancing high school classes with weekend shifts at Columbus, Georgia Radio Station WDAK, tutored by a demanding but kind mentor who saw in her something the rest of us would come to know as courage--the courage to stand, to speak, and to be counted. At nineteen, while still finding her way as a young woman, Dee stepped into a television anchor chair and, with a clarity of purpose and a tenderness of spirit, she became the youngest television anchor in the country. That milestone was only the first of many. She moved through newsrooms with humility and grit--from WRBL in Columbus, Georgia, to WSBT in South Bend, and back home to WTVM in Columbus, Georgia--where she became more than an anchor. For three decades she was a companion for viewers, a steady hand on the tiller when storms came, a warm laugh at the start of the day, and a thoughtful voice at the close of evening. Families invited Dee into their living rooms, trusting her to tell their stories honestly and to hold their grief and their joy with equal care. Dee was the first to bring a daytime talk show to our market, and in doing so she broke yet another barrier--not for the sake of records, but to give a stage to those whose voices needed to be heard. Her guests ranged from national figures to neighbors with quiet heroism. She used her platform not to show how bright she could shine, but to make others glow. Whether interviewing community leaders, championing health awareness through ``Buddy Check 9,'' or telling the stories of children whose futures we all should protect, Dee made us feel seen and made us, in turn, want to do better for one another. Her career is studded with awards, but what lingers in the memory is far more human: the woman who knelt to help a child, who organized a ball to raise money for a wig so a little girl could smile again, who taught Sunday School with the same patience she used before a camera. She has been a mother to four sons, a grandmother of seven, a great- grandmother, a singer in choirs, a mentor, a stalwart friend. When life pulled her into unexpected chapters--repairing apartments with her own hands, selling life insurance, running a flea market--she met each turn with the same faith and industrious spirit that shaped her reporting. Nothing about Dee was showy; everything about her was real. And so, this Hall of Fame honor is, at its heart, recognition of a life that belonged to others. It honors the nights she spent preparing scripts so a community could be informed, the hours she gave to causes that saved lives, the long conversations with young people who needed a word of encouragement. It honors tears shared and wiped away, and the countless ordinary moments when she chose kindness over convenience. Every newsroom has its stars, but few become family. For Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley, Dee Armstrong became family. Her voice soothed anxious parents, her reporting spurred action, and her compassion taught us how to be better neighbors. Her induction into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame is not merely about a career well executed; it is a community's way of saying thank you to a woman who gave her talents away freely and asked for nothing in return. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in celebrating Dee Armstrong--not only for the accolades, but for the grace, the courage, and the relentless, tender care she has shown a region that loves her dearly. May her example continue to remind us that true greatness is measured in service, in small mercies, and in a life lived toward others.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a full heart to honor a man whose life has been a sermon in motion--Pastor Raymond Cochran--on the sacred occasion of his retirement after a lifetime of faithful service. A retirement celebration will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Saint Luke Ministry Center in Columbus, Georgia. Born in Lee County, Alabama to John and Lucille Cochran, Pastor Cochran answered the call of Christ at age seven when he joined Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Salem, Alabama. From that humble beginning grew a pastoral journey marked by steadfast devotion and selfless care. Pastor Cochran served congregations across Alabama and Georgia--including Hopewell Baptist Church (Roanoke, Alabama), Rising Grove Baptist Church (LaGrange, Georgia), Springhill Missionary Baptist Church (Lineville, Alabama), Mt. Lovely Baptist Church (Camphill, Alabama), Friendship Baptist Church (Fairfax, Alabama), Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (Salem, Alabama), and Poplar Springs Baptist Church (Lafayette, Alabama)--before answering a long and faithful call at Franchise Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama, where he has shepherded the flock for 57 years. Pastor Cochran's life is crowned by service and scholarship: he earned Bachelors and Masters of Bible Theology degrees from the International Institute and Seminary in Plymouth, Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts from Selma University. He was further honored with two honorary doctorates--in divinity and law--from Union Theological Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama. Those academic accolades only formalize what his ministry has demonstrated every day: wisdom shaped by study and sanctified by compassion. His ministry is measured not by accolades alone but by lives remade. Communities rallied around his leadership; programs sustained families; grieving hearts found comfort; wayward youth found mentors; the isolated found belonging. His tireless efforts earned him many recognitions, including being named the 2018 Citizen of the Year and being listed among the 85 Most Influential Black Americans in the Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama area. In a permanent tribute to a life of impact, 10th Avenue in Phenix City, Alabama has been named in his honor. Yet, beyond every award and street sign are the human stories that make his legacy holy: the mother who regained hope after a prayer and a helping hand, the teenager whose life turned because someone refused to give up on him, the elderly neighbor who found companionship in the church he nurtured. These are the quiet miracles of a ministry lived close to the ground, up close to real pain and real joy. Behind every faithful pastor stands family, and Pastor Cochran's family has been his steadfast companion. He and his beloved wife, Mary, together raised six daughters and two sons. Their family now includes nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren--a living testament to generations shaped by faith, love, and service. We remember, too, the roots of his devotion in his parents, John and Lucille, who first planted the seeds of faith that would blossom into a lifetime of ministry. There is a certain sacred tenderness in Pastor Cochran's leadership-- a tenderness that has drawn men and women to tears of repentance and of relief, to hands clasped in prayer, to songs lifted in gratitude. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us, ``Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.'' Pastor Cochran has been taking those steps his entire life, guiding countless others one courageous, faithful step at a time. Mr. Speaker, as Pastor Cochran steps into retirement, we do not simply mark an ending; we celebrate a legacy. We give thanks for a life lived in the patient, persistent work of love. We honor Mary, his devoted partner; we honor his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren; and we honor the memory of John and Lucille Cochran, whose faith planted deep roots. May his days be filled with the peace and joy he has long given to others. May his legacy continue to inspire those who follow. And may the many lives he has touched rise now to carry forward his work of compassion, restoration, and faith. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District and throughout the Chattahoochee River Valley Area in recognizing Pastor Raymond Cochran--pastor, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, servant, and friend--and in expressing our deepest gratitude for a ministry that has changed a community and enriched countless souls. May God bless him and his family richly in this new season.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise with profound sorrow and deep gratitude to honor the life of Grace Hall Miller of Baker County, Georgia--a woman of courage, conviction, and relentless compassion--who passed away on March 13, 2026, at the age of 93. A home-going service to celebrate her remarkable life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Thankful Missionary Baptist Church in Baker County, Georgia. Born July 21, 1932, in Baker County, Mrs. Miller was the youngest of six children of JoeNathan and Nannie Arnett Hall. She was reared in the faith and fellowship of Thankful Baptist Church, where her father served as a deacon and where she would meet her lifelong partner, Hosea Miller, Sr. Together they became pioneers of civic courage--the first Black citizens in Baker County to register to vote--and raised a family rooted in love and purpose: five daughters and a son. Mrs. Miller's life was tested by the twin cruelties of personal loss and public injustice. In March 1965, a white farmer shot her husband at point-blank range in a dispute over cattle; ten days later Hosea died of his wounds. The all-white grand juries that followed refused to bring the killer to account. Rather than bend beneath that injustice, Mrs. Miller found strength. She remained a widow and single parent, and she answered grief with unyielding activism. Her home became a sanctuary and a strategy center for the struggle for civil rights. She opened her doors for meetings after mass gatherings and voter registration drives. offering shelter to organizers and hope to neighbors. She endured threats--a cross burned on her front lawn--and she responded not with retreat but with resolve, calling neighbors to stand guard and protect her family. She taught her children, by deed and example, that dignity demands both courage and fortitude. Mrs. Miller's activism extended into institutions long closed to people of color. When a school superintendent tried to intimidate her daughter Deborah, Grace Miller confronted him in his office--and from that stand she launched a campaign that culminated in her election to the Baker County School Board. For 36 years she served on that board, not for prestige, but to open doors for children, to insist on fairness, and to shepherd a community toward a better, more just future. Several of her daughters integrated local schools and endured jail and hardship for the cause. Mrs. Miller's quiet, fierce leadership made such sacrifices bearable and meaningful. She worked to provide for her family. holding clerical jobs at Newton Manufacturing Company and the Jones Ecological Center at Ichauway, all while bearing the responsibilities of head of household. She celebrated every victory for her children: she watched with pride as her son rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Albany Police Department even while she continued to press for accountability and trust between law enforcement and the community. Grace's life of service continued into her later years. She testified to the truth when her daughter Shirley--a national civil-rights figure--was wrongly accused in 2009, standing publicly for justice and for her family. She lived to see two roads in Baker County named in her honor--small, permanent signs of a life that rerouted the course of a county's conscience. Her honors and recognitions could not encompass the full measure of her influence. Grace Miller leaves a legacy embodied in the lives she steadied, the children who learned to read and to hope in classrooms she fought to desegregate, and the generations who now pass safely through doors she helped open. Mrs. Miller is survived by her six devoted children--Shirley Miller Sherrod; Nannie Mae Miller Jones; Sandra Miller Jones; Rubertha Miller Hall; Deborah Miller Walker; and Rev. Hosea Miller, Jr.--as well as 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and five great-great- grandchildren. We remember, too, her late husband Hosea and her parents, JoeNathan and Nannie Arnett Hall. Mrs. Miller's life stands as a testament to moral courage: the courage to keep faith when institutions fail; the courage to raise children in the face of violence; the courage to turn a home into a headquarters for justice. She taught by example that one person's steadiness can alter the arc of a community. For her service--as a mother, as an activist, as a school board member, and as a keeper of conscience for Baker County--we offer our deepest gratitude. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the memory of Mrs. Grace Hall Miller, to celebrate a life spent on the side of justice, and to extend our condolences to her family. May her legacy continue to inspire those who work to make our Nation ever truer to its promise.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose life and work have enriched our community and lifted the lives of countless Americans--Arsburn ``Oz'' Raynard Roberts--who, after 43 years of distinguished service at Aflac, now retires as the company's Historian. An event to celebrate his remarkable career will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the AFLAC Worldwide Headquarters in Columbus, Georgia. Oz's story is one of creativity, commitment, and compassionate service. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, he brought artistry and vision to every role he held. For over 35 years he served as Second Vice President and Executive Producer of Event Productions and Audiovisual Services at Aflac Worldwide Headquarters in Columbus, Georgia. An Emmy Award- winning producer and director, an award-winning photographer and graphic designer, Oz turned corporate events into moments of dignity and joy, and he turned the ordinary into the unforgettable. Through four decades of work, Oz produced and orchestrated events for world leaders, beloved entertainers, civil rights icons, and champions of sport--from Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush to Ambassador Andrew Young; from poet Dr. Maya Angelou and civil- rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery to Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf; from Gladys Knight and Earth, Wind & Fire to Super Bowl Champions Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. He made the Aflac stage a place where excellence met humanity, and where people felt seen and honored. Oz's influence extends far beyond Aflac's walls. He served the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant as vice president of the board of trustees, producer/director, and vice president of scholarship and fundraising. He has judged Miss America state preliminaries across the Nation and contributed to scholarship pageants that open doors for young people. He has been a leader in civic and cultural life--on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, the Riverside Theater Advisory Council, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Board of Trustees, the Columbus Ballet Board, the Hardaway High School Alumni Association, and many more-- bringing passion, stewardship, and an unwavering belief in the power of the arts and education. A stalwart in fraternal and community organizations, Oz is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has served as chapter president of Delta Iota Lambda, and chairs the Columbus chapter of 100 Black Men of America and the Annual Black History Observance Committee. His many honors--Photographer of the Year, Global Leadership Award, Outstanding Leadership and Service recognitions from PanHellenic and local institutions, the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service, and Man of the Year from the Not a Bad Apple Foundation--reflect a lifetime of leadership and selfless service. It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Oz has paid his rent, and he has paid it well. But titles and awards only tell part of Oz's story. Those who know him remember his steady presence, his generous mentorship to young professionals, and the way he transformed technical production into human connection. He taught others that true success is measured not in applause but in the opportunities, you create for others--in the scholarships awarded, careers launched, stages shared, and communities strengthened. On a personal note, Oz has been a friend for many years. What I have always admired about Oz is that he steps up when he sees a need in the community. I will be forever grateful for his commitment, fidelity, and his friendship. Oz has accomplished many things in life, but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his wife Vanessa (VJ) and his daughter, Jessica. As he steps into retirement from a remarkable Aflac tenure that spanned four decades and touched presidents, community leaders, entertainers, and thousands of coworkers, we salute a husband, a father, a friend, and a cultural steward whose work at Aflac has left an indelible mark on Columbus, the region, and our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Arsburn ``Oz'' Raynard Roberts for 43 years of extraordinary service at Aflac--for his creativity, leadership, and unwavering devotion to community. We thank him, we celebrate him, and we wish him and his family joy and blessing in the years ahead.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a grief that feels both personal and profound, to honor the life of Dr. Taylar N. Williams--a beloved wife, mother, educator, and light to so many in our community. A funeral service to celebrate her remarkable and purpose-filled life was held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. The genesis of the life of Dr. Taylar Williams began in July 1993 to the union of Eric and Ariel Martin. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Albany State University serving with grace and pride as the 72nd Miss Albany State University. She went on to receive her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University. While at Albany State University, she was initiated into the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Sigma Chapter, where she carried the sorority's motto of ``By culture and merit'' into every room she entered. It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Taylar Williams paid her rent and she paid it well. Taylar's life was a soft, steady miracle. She did not seek the spotlight; she created sanctuaries. Beginning her career in the Dougherty County School System, Taylar quickly became a devoted advocate for students and families. She served as Lead Exceptional Student Program Teacher, was named the 2023 to 2024 Teacher of the Year at Live Oak Elementary School and later became the district's first Human Resources Recruitment Coordinator. Her commitment to children and to the teaching profession guided every step of her journey. In the halls of Lee County Primary School, where she served as Assistant Principal, she made room for the small, sacred things that change the course of a child's lives. The great agricultural chemist George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday you will have been all of these.'' Taylar Williams went far in life because she never forgot this valuable lesson. She loved fiercely and without reservation. To her husband, George, she was everything a partner could be: loyal, tender, fierce in protection, and generous to the core. To Noelle, Nova, George IV, and little Grant Luke, she was a dedicated mother. Taylar's faith and her joy were never separate from her work. She carried the dignity of Albany State University, the pride of HBCU tradition, and the discipline of scholarship--culminating in a Doctor of Education--into classrooms, staff meetings, and parent conferences. She led with humility, believing every child deserved patience, expectation, and love. She refused to let a child be unseen. We grieve a life cut far too short at thirty-two, We grieve the birthdays she will not attend, the graduations she will not applaud, the quiet Sundays she will not fill with her laughter. The empty space she leaves is vast. And yet, in that space we also feel an abundance-- of memories, of lives bent toward better because she loved them, of children who will walk forward a bit braver because she believed in them. My thoughts and prayers go out to George, Noelle, Nova, George IV, and Grant Luke. I cannot fathom the depth of their sorrow, but I know this--the love Taylar poured into them did not vanish. It lives in the prayers she taught, in the confidence she instilled, in the way their hands know how to comfort one another. When they remember her, they will find her in their hearts forever. I hope her colleagues and the children she served keep her work alive. Continue to be the steady presence she modeled. Let her example be the standard by which we measure our care for one another--small acts, done faithfully, that stack into a life that matters, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life of Dr. Taylar N. Williams. In a time when we tend to forget the human work of love and care, Taylar's life was a clarion reminder of what truly sustains a Nation: people who show up for one another, who choose children over convenience, who teach not because it is easy but because it is necessary. She reminded us that greatness is often gentle and that the most powerful public service happens in classrooms, not on podiums. We honor Dr. Taylar N. Williams not with hollow words but with the promise to carry forward what she gave us: compassion without condition, unwavering faith in young people, and the courage to do the small, difficult things every day. May her family be wrapped in our prayers. May her students remember her lessons of love. And may her light--brief, brilliant, and true-- continue to guide us until we meet again. God bless Dr. Taylar N. Williams, and God bless her family.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow to pay tribute to The Honorable Loring A. Gray, Jr., a devoted public servant, a beloved judge, a Navy veteran, and a man whose life was defined by service, compassion, and quiet dignity. A service to celebrate his remarkable life was held on February 28, 2026, at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany, Georgia. Born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital on June 8, 1947, Loring Gray answered his country's call as a young man, serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. He returned home and pursued law, graduating from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1976. From the moment he took the oath of office as an assistant district attorney in Dougherty County, to his decades as a distinguished Superior Court judge--including many years as Chief Judge--Judge Gray exemplified the very best of our justice system: fairness, firmness, and an abiding respect for the human dignity of every person who stood before him. Judge Gray's influence reached far beyond the courtroom. He guided the remodeling of the Dougherty County Courthouse with a steward's care for institutions that bind communities together. He mentored young lawyers, supported the Mock Trial program, and served the broader judiciary as a Senior Judge and Mediator after retirement. Those who knew him recall his formidable presence on the bench balanced by an unexpected and gentle wit--a man who could be exacting in law and tender in life. His devotion to Adoption Days, where he helped give new families legal and spiritual beginnings, revealed a judge whose justice was always married to mercy. He was a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany-- teaching Sunday School, serving as an usher, and serving on the vestry--living the church's call to love and to serve. His life was guided by the Latin motto he cherished, not for yourselves--``Sic vos non vobis.'' That principle shaped everything he did: his law practice, his public service, his friendships, and the hospitality he shared-- from orchestrating UGA tailgate gatherings to welcoming friends at his table. Judge Gray was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Loring A. and Virginia Gray, and by his wife, Virginia Looney Gray. He is survived by his son Russell Gray and daughter Liz Gray Barfield, grandchildren Ansley, Will, and Lilia, his siblings and extended family, and a community that benefited from his steady wisdom. Today, we give thanks for a life well lived--a life that taught us that the law is more than statutes and precedent; it is the tender administration of justice with compassion. We mourn his passing, but we also celebrate the countless lives he touched: children placed in loving homes, young lawyers encouraged to do right, courthouse staff steadied by his example, and neighbors across Dougherty County who knew the safety and grace of his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the memory of Judge Loring A. Gray, Jr.--a man of intellect, integrity, and heart. May his family find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy of service will endure and may we all take inspiration from his life to serve our communities with the same humility and devotion. God bless his memory.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a grateful heart to honor a man whose life reads like a prayer answered in service--my dear friend Dan Doleman, Jr. Mr. Doleman will be honored at a Black History Month Celebration with the Living Legend Award at Holsey Monumental CME Church on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Born in Columbus Georgia in 1941 to Dan Doleman, Sr. and Maggie Jackson. Dan's story began in a home that taught responsibility and love. A 1960 graduate of William H. Spencer High School, he answered his country's call in the United States Air Force, continuing his studies at American University and the University of Maryland while in uniform. After his honorable discharge he pursued higher learning at Savannah State and, in 1970, earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University at Buffalo--the start of a 56-year career spent healing bodies and restoring hope. Mr. Doleman's hands have steadied countless lives--from Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo to Pine/Oak Manor Rehab Center, to home health agencies across Georgia and Alabama, to the Cerebral Palsy Center and Easter Seals. In 1990 he opened Rivertown Rehab, Inc., the first African American rehabilitation service in Columbus--not for fame or fortune, but to fill a need and answer a calling. Patients left his care steadier in body and lighter in spirit because he treated every person as if they were family. His faith has been the compass of his life. For eight decades at Holsey Chapel C.M.E. Church he served in the music ministry, as a lay leader, and now as chairman of the steward board. The scripture he held close--Colossians 3:23--became more than words: ``Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.'' That verse was not merely a guide for Dan; it was the pulse of his days. Dan's professional and civic life reads like a ledger of quiet courage: appointment by Governor George Busbee as the first African American member of the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy; decades of teaching and supervising students at Tuskegee University and Georgia State; leadership on the Health Systems Agency of Central Georgia; service on boards from Synovus to the YMCA to the Historic Liberty Foundation; and serving on the Muscogee County School Board. Honors followed--Citizen of the Year, humanitarian awards, leadership citations--but he wore them softly, like well-earned shoes that carried him back to the work. Through every title and every plaque, Dan Doleman remained first and always a family man. For 60 years he and Deloris Porter Doleman built a marriage rooted in prayer and perseverance. They raised two daughters, Danita and Donna, and reveled in grandchildren--Shane, Shawna, A.J., Braylon, and Alexandria, now resting in God's care. As the eldest of seven, he learned early what it means to lead with tenderness. If one line could capture Dan's life--the steady covenant of his hands and heart--it would be this: ``Live to mend what is broken, and in doing so, heal the world a little at a time.'' That sentence was his quiet credo; his practice made it true. He taught us that healing is never only clinical--it is patience, listening, the willingness to stand in pain with another until they can stand alone. On a personal note, I have known Dan and Deloris Doleman for many years, and they have been close friends and confidantes. I will be forever grateful for their fidelity and support over the years. Mr. Speaker, there are people who make noise, and there are people who make a home of service. Dan Doleman, Jr. made the latter. When you needed someone to listen, to steady, to fight quietly for dignity and care, Dan was there. His life is a testament to humble excellence and abiding love. I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Dan Doleman, Jr.--a healer, a leader, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend whose hands and heart made Columbus stronger. May we carry forward his lesson: to labor with our whole hearts, to repair what is broken, and to love without counting the cost.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise with profound pride and deep emotion to honor Mrs. Eloise Richardson Paschal of Americus, Georgia, as she marks her 90th birthday--a milestone that asks us not merely to count years but to measure a life of service, sacrifice, and steadfast love. A celebration will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Georgia Southwestern State University Griffin Bell Conference Center in Americus. Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, Eloise Paschal came of age when opportunities for young Black women were too often limited. Yet she refused to be defined by limitation. She earned a BA in Elementary Education from Benedict College in 1958 and a master's in library science from Atlanta University in 1967. Those degrees were not ornaments but tools she used to open doors for generations of children and light the path for those who would follow. She believed, and taught, that ``education is the passport to the future.'' For more than 38 years Mrs. Paschal stood at the front of classrooms across Sumter County--at Lyons Elementary, Staley Junior High, and schools throughout Americus--teaching not only reading and arithmetic but dignity, perseverance, and hope. She stayed late for the child who needed extra help; she sat with frightened parents; she celebrated every small victory as if it were her own. Countless students who struggled in silence found in her classroom and her heart someone who believed in them fiercely. That belief changed lives, lifted careers, healed wounds, and set ripples into motion that touched families and communities. Her honors--listings in Academic Who's Who of American Teachers and Who's Who Among Black Americans--recognize excellence but cannot capture the quiet, daily acts of love that defined her teaching: handwritten notes of encouragement, patient reteaching until understanding dawned, and the stern but kind firmness that taught children not only what to learn but how to live. Mrs. Paschal's service extended beyond the classroom. As a charter and life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Americus Alumnae Chapter, she worked to uplift women and families. In 1995, she became one of the first two women elected to the Americus City Council--a historic milestone reflecting both her leadership and her community's trust. For 16 years she stewarded the public trust with humility and steady resolve, focusing on education, health, economic opportunity, and dignity for all. Her civic footprint includes service on the Georgia Southwestern Foundation, Magnolia Manor Foundation, Sumter County Library Board, and the Board of Directors of Sumter Bank and Trust--roles where decisions shape institutions and neighbors' lives. As a deaconess and choir member at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, she nurtured the spiritual life of her community, living proof that faith without works is lifeless. In every role she led with compassion and acted with courage. Behind every public life is a private heart. Mrs. Paschal was married for 55 years to Mr. Willie Paschal; her love sustained a family. She raised her son Stanley with tenderness and conviction and beams with pride at her grandchildren, Grant and Drew. Her family's accomplishments are a living testament to the values she instilled: integrity, hard work, faith, and the conviction that education secures human dignity. Her life traces the arc of our Nation's struggle and progress. She lived through segregated schools and the long work of change; she taught during times of upheaval and hope; she served in local government as Georgia and the Nation strove toward a more perfect union. Through it all she remained constant: steady in faith, fierce in advocacy for children, and tender in care for neighbors. She sought no limelight; her rewards were the lives transformed--the shy child who found confidence, the parent eased by counsel, the community strengthened by steady hands. On a personal note, Mrs. Paschal and her family have been dear friends and supporters for many years. I will be forever grateful for their fidelity and friendship. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in recognizing Mrs. Eloise Richardson Paschal for her extraordinary lifetime of service. Let us thank her for lessons that go beyond any curriculum: perseverance, responsibility, and love. May we each carry forward her example: teach one more child, serve one more neighbor, and believe in the power of small acts to change the world. On behalf of a grateful community and a grateful Nation, I congratulate Mrs. Paschal on her 90th birthday. May God bless her with continued health, comfort, and joy, and may her legacy inspire many more to walk the path of service she has so faithfully trod.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow but also with deep gratitude to pay tribute to a man whose life was a testament to faith, service, and love--Sheriff John Bowens of Terrell County, Georgia. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable and purposeful life was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Dawson, Georgia. Born August 17, 1946, in Dawson, Georgia, John Bowens grew from humble beginnings into a leader whose steady hands and steady heart guided a community for more than three decades. I have had the honor of representing many remarkable public servants, but few have combined humility, resolve, and compassion the way Sheriff Bowens did. His story is the American story--a son of Terrell County who worked hard, raised a devoted family, held fast to faith, and answered the call to protect his neighbors. After graduating from Carver High School in 1965, Sheriff Bowens rolled up his sleeves and worked wherever his community needed him: as a bus driver, ensuring children arrived at school safe and ready to learn; as a mechanic at Dawson Motor Company, tending to the machines that helped his neighbors make a living; and later in the ranks of public safety--with the Dawson Fire Department, the Dawson and Dougherty County police departments, and ultimately the Terrell County Sheriffs Department. Each step in his career was a step closer to a life of service, each job a small promise kept to his fellow citizens. In 1992, the people of Terrell County placed their trust in John Bowens and elected him, Sheriff. That trust was repaid every day, for 32 years. He served longer than any sheriff in the county's history and became the longest-serving African American sheriff elected in the State of Georgia. But these distinctions tell only part of the story. What mattered most to those who knew him was not the record on a plaque, but the quiet, constant ways he showed up: walking neighborhoods, listening to concerns with patience, mentoring young people who might otherwise have lost their way, and standing at the bedside of a grieving family or the side of a frightened child until calm returned. Sheriff Bowens' leadership flowed from a bedrock of faith. Introduced to Christ early, he first joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Herod and later made Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Dawson his spiritual home. For more than thirty years, he served as a Deacon and as Chairman of the Deacon Board--roles he carried not as honors but as responsibilities. In the church he found purpose; in the Lord he found the guiding light that shaped his decisions, his care for others, and the moral courage that marked his long career. His life was also defined by a love that endured: in 1966 he married Janice Williams Bowens, his partner, confidante, and anchor. Together they raised four children--Darrell, Brenda, Marcus, and Pamela--and built a family that mirrored the values they lived: faith, perseverance, and tenderness. John took pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he celebrated their milestones as if they were his own, and they drew strength from his example. Family, for Sheriff Bowens, was not a private matter--it was the wellspring of his public service, the place where he learned to care for others before caring for self. Sheriff Bowens was a man of convictions. He was outspoken when injustice threatened the vulnerable, and he was steady when storms-- literal and figurative--tested Terrell County. People could depend upon him. When difficult choices had to be made, neighbors sought his counsel because they knew his word was his bond. He earned the respect of fellow law enforcement officers across counties, and he carried himself with a dignity that reflected both his personal faith and his commitment to the rule of law. Those who served beside him remember a leader who mentored rather than commanded, who cultivated loyalty not by fear but by example. He was a Mason at St. Mark Lodge 59 and a friend to many. He celebrated community life and helped weave the social fabric of Dawson and Terrell County so that when tragedy came, people had one another to lean on. On a personal note, Sheriff Bowens was my friend. We established a bond as we were both elected in 1992. He never told me what I wanted to hear, but he always told me what he felt I needed to hear. I will be forever grateful for his fidelity and his friendship. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life and legacy of Sheriff John Bowens. Moreover, we extend our deepest sympathies to Sheriff Bowens' family, friends, loved ones and all those who grieve during this difficult time of bereavement. We pray that they will all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead. May the life of Sheriff John Bowens be a beacon to those who follow: a call to serve without expectation of fame, to lead with humility, and to love without reservation. May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Mrs. Ann Caggins on the occasion of her 80th birthday and to include in the Record a tribute to a life of faith, family, and extraordinary service to community and country. A celebration to mark this singular occasion will be held on January 31, 2026, at the Page-Doleman Complex in Columbus, Georgia. Ann Caggins's life is a testament to the values that strengthen families and communities across our Nation. Mrs. Caggins learned early that people, not places, create the memories and relationships that shape us. That insight guided a lifetime devoted to building community, developing young leaders, and serving others with humility and steadfast faith. Mrs. Caggins is a graduate of the George Washington Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia. She is also a graduate of Pepperdine University with one of the Nation's early degrees in Human Resources Management, Mrs. Caggins built a distinguished career as a human resources professional. She served as Corporate Human Resources Officer for the Eastern Operations Headquarters of the American National Red Cross--overseeing a vast jurisdiction that included twenty states, key resource chapters, military installations, and the Caribbean--and she was named National Staffing Officer during the demanding Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm mobilization. Her public service also included leadership as Human Resources Director for municipal government and as President and Chair of the Board of her local Society for Human Resource Management chapter. In addition to her professional achievements, Mrs. Caggins holds two professional HR certifications and serves as an instructor for certification testing, passing on knowledge to the next generation of leaders. Equally notable is Mrs. Caggins's tireless volunteer leadership with Jack and Jill of America, Inc., where she devoted countless hours to developing young people and strengthening families. Over many years, she served as Chapter Program Chair, Teen Advisor (two terms), Vice President, Chapter President (two terms), Regional Teen Conference Chair, National Teen Task Force Chair, and National Tellers Committee Chair. She was honored as a Distinguished Mother and recognized for her role in fostering servant leadership in the Eastern Region. Under her guidance and in partnership with leaders like National President Nellie Thornton, the Eastern Region cultivated confident, service-minded youth--leaders such as John Applewhite, Lisa Bryant, Joseph Hurd, and Jennifer (Williams) West among many others. Mrs. Caggins has been a champion of education and scholarships. She and her husband, Colonel (Ret.) Myles B. Caggins, Jr., have long supported the UNCF Columbus Campaign, raising record-breaking funds and serving as Co-Chairs; their philanthropic leadership garnered them MASKED (Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams) recognition and helped provide scholarships to first-generation college students and high school seniors. Her community honors are numerous and well-earned: recipient of the Rosa Parks Women of Courage Award (2017), Gracious Lady of Georgia, Heads and Shoulders Above the Rest honoree, 50th Year Jack and Jill Northern Virginia Chapter Presidents honoree, and George Washington Carver High Honors Program speaker, The Whitney M. Young National Service Award Presented by the Chattahoochee Council of Boy Scouts of America, and the Legacy of Leadership Award from the Black History Observance Committee. She has served as Ledger-Enquirer Page One judge, held leadership roles in homeowners' associations, and has been praised as a mentor, professional, and servant-leader. She also serves as Chair Emerita of the Black History Observance Breakfast Committee. Mrs. Caggins's life is grounded in faith and family. She and Colonel (Ret.) Myles B. Caggins, Jr., met while she was a student at Spelman College; they married a year after becoming engaged and have been married for almost six decades. They are members of The Church of Christ, where Mrs. Caggins continues to teach ladies' Bible class and live by five guiding commitments: to God, family and team, task, service, and personal development. Her devotion to family is reflected in her children--Angela M. (Caggins) Trammel (Ernest) and LTC (P) Myles B. Caggins, III--and grandchildren Eric M. Trammel and Ariana M. Trammel, who continue the legacy of service and leadership she helped cultivate. Those who know Mrs. Caggins describe her as a woman of deep faith who ``goes where God leads,'' a gracious leader whose work has enriched countless lives. Whether balancing the demands of a prominent HR career during wartime mobilization or spending late nights planning programs and mentoring teens, she has always centered service to others. She reminds us that community service is the hallmark of servant leadership and that a mother's involvement in her children's lives yields confident young people prepared to serve. Mr. Speaker, on this milestone birthday, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District as we give thanks for Ann Caggins's life, for the countless hours she has given to young people and her community, and for the example of commitment, faith, and quiet leadership she embodies. We join her family, friends, and community in celebrating her 80th birthday and in offering gratitude for her many contributions. May God bless Mrs. Ann Caggins with continued health, joy, and the comfort of loved ones as she continues to bloom where she is planted.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow and deep thanksgiving to honor the life and legacy of Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a faithful servant of God, an apostolic visionary, a devoted husband and father, and a tireless advocate for justice, healing, and transformation. His transition from labor to reward marks the close of a life lived in humble service and bold leadership, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to come. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany, Georgia. Bishop Williams was born in Dougherty County, Albany, Georgia, to the late Roosevelt Williams and Evangelist Katie Mae Anderson. The youngest of seven children--Johnny Bell, Patricia, Gloria Jean, Roosevelt, Jr., Larry, and Barbara--he was reared in a home firmly rooted in faith, discipline, and service. Those foundational values shaped a life that bore fruit in ministry, civic engagement, and community building. At an early age, Bishop Williams accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor R.B. Smith. Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend George Daniels, he exercised his gifts faithfully--serving as church clerk, armor-bearer, organizer of the first Pastor's Aide Board, leader in the music ministry, and deacon board member--early signs of a servant's heart and a shepherd's calling. He formed The Voices of Tabernacle and served as minister of music for churches across southwest Georgia, gathering and guiding people in worship. In 1991 Bishop Williams answered a divine call to preach the gospel. He pursued nonprofit and leadership training at Clark Atlanta University and, in 1992, launched Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany from a small building on Baldwin Street leased by then-Mayor Paul Keenan. With only nine members, that congregation grew into a thriving interdenominational ministry impacting lives locally and globally. He also served as Pastor of New Zion Hill Baptist Church and later organized Divine Covenant International Fellowship, providing apostolic covering and mentoring more than 100 ministers, preachers, and leaders--many in Liberia--under his apostolic anointing. Bishop Williams was united in holy matrimony on May 7, 1988, to Felicia Jones, and together they raised a loving family: Victoria, Vanessa, Frederick, Jr., Fredesha, Lawanna, Natasha, and Nazarelle-- children who were a constant source of joy and pride. A lifelong learner, Bishop Williams was a proud graduate of Dougherty Comprehensive High School (Class of 1980) and Albany Technical College. His studies continued at Georgetown College, Regents Park College at the University of Oxford, The Interdenominational Theological Center of Morehouse College, and culminated with a Doctorate in Theology from North Carolina University Wilmington, where he was recognized as a distinguished member of the President's Club. Before full-time ministry, Bishop Williams worked at McGregor Golf for eleven years and later served the community as a bus driver for the Dougherty County School System and as a dispatcher with the Albany- Dougherty 911 Communication Center. An entrepreneur, he owned The Gentlemen Shop, G & W His & Hers Accessories, and the Albany Christian Book & Gift Store. His ministry and mission were global in scope--Bishop Williams traveled extensively to Haiti, Africa, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Belize, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, and beyond, and he established two ministries in Liberia. He served as Bishop Ordinary for the Diocese of St. James the Just in Florida, was consecrated to the office of the bishopric in 2016, served as State Bishop of Georgia, and in 2025 joined Lifted Reformation as State Bishop of Georgia. Bishop Williams' public service and civic leadership were exemplary. He founded and led Stop the Violence initiatives, co-chaired Albany- Dougherty Community-Oriented Policing, served on the Easter Seals Southern District Board, and led civic and ministerial coalitions that bridged faith, law enforcement, education, and the legal community in pursuit of collective healing and progress. At the time of his passing, he faithfully served as Chairman of the Board of the Albany-Dougherty County Board of Elections. His life of service earned numerous honors: the NAACP Religious Award; Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award presented by then-Secretary of State Cathy Cox; Excellence in Community Award from the NAACP; the Trailblazer Award from 100 Black Men of Albany; Citizen of the Year from Omega Psi Phi--Eta Omicron Chapter; the Liberty Bell Award from the Dougherty County Bar Association; a Certificate of Special Congressional Record from yours truly for his leadership in Stop the Violence initiatives; eight Mayoral Proclamations; Albany's STRIDE Award; and many additional commendations recognizing his humanitarian and civic contributions. Bishop Williams was also an author and creative minister--writing Order in the House and The Church Under Siege, producing the gospel recording Zion Is Calling, and hosting the podcast Plug In With Bishop--platforms through which he taught, encouraged, and lifted up his community during seasons of trial and renewal. In 2009, following the tragic loss of his sister, Bishop Williams convened leaders at Albany State University and asked, ``What can we do?'' Out of that conversation grew a sustained, collaborative response to violence and community pain--an enduring testament to his capacity to turn grief into constructive action. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr., was a man who married conviction with compassion, preaching comfort while organizing for justice. He answered calls to both prayer and practice, building institutions, mentoring leaders, and offering pastoral care to countless families. He bore witness to a faith that moved beyond sanctuary walls into streets, schools, and global mission fields. I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a pastor, a prophet, a builder, and a beloved servant whose life of faith, intellect, and action made our communities stronger and kinder. We mourn his passing, we celebrate his harvest, and we pledge to carry forward his work of healing, justice, and spiritual formation. May his memory be for a blessing. May his family find comfort in the countless lives he touched. And may his legacy continue to light the way for leaders who follow in the Holy work of service.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy but grateful heart to honor the life of Mr. Adrian Earl Jenkins, Sr.--a gentle giant of faith, family, and fearless service, whose quiet strength lifted a community for more than 9 decades. A funeral service celebrating his remarkable life was held on January 29, 2026, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Adrian Earl Jenkins, Sr. was born May 7, 1928, in LaGrange, Georgia, to Julia Byrd and was primarily raised by his aunt and uncle, William and Jesse Pattilo. His hands told his story: strong from teaching generations of students, callused from building a home and other community structures with his own labor and tender from holding grandchildren and comforting neighbors in times of need. Grounded in faith, he lived out many callings--student, soldier, husband, father, teacher, farmer, deacon, activist, and friend--with humility and devotion. After graduating from East Depot High School in LaGrange, he enrolled at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, but his studies were interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Jenkins returned from the War, determined to finish his education, which he did at Albany State College. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education and dedicated his life to teaching. For more than 34 years he shaped minds and modeled dignity, discipline, and love in the Thomas County and Dougherty County School Systems. His students remember lessons far beyond academics on how to live with honor and purpose. In 1958 he and Mary Frances Royal joined hearts in marriage, a steadfast partnership of 56 years. Family was his pride--his son Adrian Jenkins, Jr., his late daughter Sharon Jenkins Hicks, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will carry his laughter, his stories, and his legacy forward. For over 60 years Mr. Jenkins served Mount Zion Baptist Church as a deacon, offering his time, prayer, wisdom and treasure. As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for 70 years, he embodied the fraternity's ideals of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind and was honored by the Gamma Omicron Lambda Chapter as ``Brother of the Year.'' He helped build and sustain institutions that mattered, including the Albany Civil Rights Museum as a founding board member, overseer of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority house in Albany and numerous other community meeting places. He labored untiringly without seeking the spotlight. Mr. Jenkins was also a quiet but steady force in the struggle for civil rights, supporting carpools during the bus boycott, aiding desegregation of the lunchroom at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and practicing ordinary acts of courage that yielded extraordinary change. He loved the land--raising chickens and hogs and living the words of Psalm 128:2, eating the fruit of his labor, and blessing those at his table. Though accomplished, he sought no title. He simply wanted to make a difference, following the example of Jesus by choosing understanding over intolerance, love over hate, benevolence over selfishness, and humility over arrogance. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life and legacy of Adrian Earl Jenkins, Sr. Our city, our Nation and the world are better because he walkdd among us. We mourn his loss but celebrate a life whose enduring legacy is written in the lives he touched: teachers inspired to teach, children who learned they mattered, neighbors who found courage, and a family that will carry his love forward. May his memory be a blessing. May his soul rest in peace, and may his example continue to inspire lives of service, faith, and love.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride and profound appreciation to honor a remarkable woman on the momentous occasion of her 90th birthday--Mrs. Barbara Anne Dorsey. Mrs. Dorsey is more than a friend; she is the embodiment of love, community service, and dedication to nurturing the future. An event to honor her birthday will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia at the Green Island Country Club. Mrs. Dorsey was born on January 10, 1936, in Hawkinsville, Georgia, and spent her formative years in Winter Haven, Florida before moving to Columbus, Georgia. It was here, surrounded by family and the nurturing spirit of her community, that her passion for music and education first took root. Growing up, she became an active member of Fourth Street Baptist Church and a musician at Shady Grove Baptist Church, where she discovered her love for serving others and sharing her musical gifts. From her earliest days, Mrs. Dorsey carried a melody in her heart, playing the clarinet and captivating those around her with the joy of music. After completing her education at Spencer High School, Mrs. Dorsey attended Fort Valley State College, where she not only honed her teaching skills but also began to shape her future as an educator and community leader. She became a devoted mother, embracing the roles that define family--one that has grown cherished, with each name she earned--Barbr'anne, Bootsie, Aunt Barbara, Mama Barbara, Grandma and Gigi. Each moniker captures not just her identity but the love and bonds she has cultivated through the years. In the span of her impressive career, Mrs. Dorsey made her mark at Manly Taylor Elementary School, where she embarked on a journey that would touch the lives of countless young minds. Her devotion extended beyond the classroom, as she served with passion in the Project Head Start summer program. Mrs. Dorsey understood that early education lays the foundation for a lifetime of growth and success. Through her nurturing spirit, she empowered her students, instilled hope, and ignited the flames of curiosity. I am reminded of the inspiring words of Mary McLeod Bethune, who said, ``The true measure of the success of any society can be determined by the contributions of its women.'' Mrs. Dorsey's life resonates with this idea; her unwavering commitment to education, service, and community upliftment has forged a legacy that will be felt for generations to come. Mrs. Dorsey's life has not been confined to one place or role. With an indomitable spirit, she embraced many responsibilities within her faith community, serving as a youth director, choir director, pianist, and Girl Scout leader. Her unwavering commitment shone brightly as she transformed lives--not just by imparting knowledge but by nurturing faith and confidence among young souls. She led the Columbus College Baptist Student Union choir, instilling leadership and cultivating spiritual growth that reverberated through her community. As a schoolteacher, she shaped young minds at Brown Avenue Elementary, Bibb Elementary, and St. Mary's Road Elementary. Her outstanding commitment led to her recognition as Teacher of the Year at St. Mary's Road Elementary--a celebration of her dedication, creativity, and tireless efforts in advancing education. With each lesson, Barbara fulfilled a critical role in shaping not just knowledge, but also character, integrity, and self-worth among her students. Even in retirement, Mrs. Dorsey's passion for teaching and music did not fade. After retiring from St. Mary's Road Elementary in 1998, she enriched young lives through private piano lessons, igniting their imaginations and fostering a love for music. Sharing her talents at Girls Inc. and the historic Liberty Theater, she found joy in bringing smiles and laughter through the power of song. Mrs. Dorsey's steps have truly been ordered by God. In her later years, she became a member of the South Columbus United Methodist Church where she continues to share her love of God and people. Mrs. Dorsey has accomplished great things in her life but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God, her children: Gayle Daniels, Faye Boyer, Veleta Pasley, Belva Dorsey-Mott, Nicol Lewis, and Joni Dorsey, her nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. On a personal note, Mrs. Dorsey and her family have been friends and supporters for many years. She has been a beacon of hope in my life, oftentimes providing meals for me that nourished not only my body but my spirit. I will be forever grateful for her and her family's fidelity and friendship. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Mrs. Barbara Ann Dorsey on her 90th birthday. Mrs. Barbara Anne Dorsey is not just a woman celebrating a milestone; she is a treasure within our hearts and our community. As we gather to honor her 90th birthday, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for her friendship, her unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds, and the profound love she has shared with everyone who has had the privilege to know her. I wish a happy 90th Birthday to Mrs. Dorsey. May her life continue to inspire those around her, illuminating paths with her love and wisdom, and may her legacy of kindness and service endure for generations to come.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate a trailblazer, dedicated public servant, and lifelong resident of Southwest Georgia, Ms. Mary Ann Grant Petty, as she retires after over 53 years with the City of Albany's Administrative Services Department. A ``Legacy Celebration'' will be held on December 19, 2025, at the Albany Civic Center to honor her over five decades of service. Ms. Petty was born in Dougherty County to the union of T.W. and Annie Mae Grant on September 1, 1953. The second of seven siblings, she graduated from Monroe High School in June 1971 and thereafter graduated from Albany Technical College with a degree in Business Administration. On May 29, 1972, as a result of a Federal Civil Rights Court Injunction for the City of Albany to desegregate its downtown offices, Ms. Petty was hired as a Customer Service Records Clerk with the City of Albany's Water, Gas & Light Commission, and was the only black employee in the front office for many months, during which she endured countless acts of discrimination from management, co-workers, and city residents. Ms. Petty, however, remained steadfast and resilient in the face of adversity; she remained at her post, upheld the highest levels of professionalism, and was promoted to the position of Customer Service Supervisor, for the Water, Gas & Light Commission, in 1977, and then to the position of Administrative Services Director, in 1997. While she may have been the first black woman to hold these roles, she blazed a new trail ahead for many others to follow in her footsteps. Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said that ``service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this Earth.'' Ms. Mary Ann Grant Petty has paid her rent and paid it well. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly in the aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and other community disasters, to provide the city and its residents with continued service and support. She is a long-time member of First Monumental Faith Ministries Church and has served on various governmental committees, organizations, and forums, earning numerous awards, certificates, and vast forms of recognition. Ms. Petty has accomplished so much during her life, but none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of her late husband, Hillard Key Petty; two children, Hillary Keyanna Petty-Jackson, and Heather Keyronica Petty; and a host of extended family and beloved friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the over 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in honoring and commending Ms. Mary Ann Grant Petty for over 53 years of dedicated service to her city and her community. We send her and her loved ones best wishes as she retires and begins the next chapter in her life.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished jurist, public servant, and Navy veteran as he retires after over two decades serving as a Juvenile Court Judge in Dougherty County, Georgia. A community event to celebrate his retirement will be held on December 30, 2025, in Dougherty County. Originally from Milledgeville, Georgia, Judge Solomon is a graduate of J.F. Boddie High School, and he received his Bachelor of Science in History from Tuskegee University with honors in 1972. He was awarded a Juris Doctor from The National Law Center, George Washington University, in 1975, before earning the Master Advocate from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Emory University, College of Law. After law school Judge Solomon served in the United States Navy as a Judge Advocate General at NLSO San Diego, California from 1976 to 1980, as defense and prosecuting attorney in over 300 Special and General Court Martials. He continued his military service in the Naval Reserve until the year 2000 when he retired with the rank of Commander. Judge Solomon is an attorney who has fulfilled many legal roles in service to others. From 1980 to 1994 he served as Senior Staff Attorney with the Georgia Legal Services Program, a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal help for low-income people and seniors. In this role he was able to practice law throughout Southwest Georgia and help countless families in need. He also taught Military Justice NROTC at Morehouse College, has served on the State Supreme Court Committee for Justice for Children, has been a lecturer on legal trial advocacy, and has argued several cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals. In December 1999, he was appointed as the Juvenile Court Judge of Dougherty County and was appointed as Dougherty County's first full- time Juvenile Court Judge in July 2005, where he currently serves today. Judge Solomon is a member of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church where he serves as a trustee. He is a member of the National Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Naval Officers Association, and past president of The Criterion Club of Albany, Georgia, charter president of Albany Midtown Optimist Club, and past board member at the YMCA. He previously coached youth basketball at the local YMCA, helping his teams capture three state championships. Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said that ``service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this Earth.'' Judge Herbie L. Solomon has paid his rent and paid it well. Whether he was serving our country in the U.S. Navy, providing free legal services to Georgia families, or teaching in the classroom, or presiding at the bench, Judge Solomon has consistently served others and worked to uplift humankind. Judge Solomon has accomplished so much throughout his life, but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his late wife, Jean Wright Solomon, and his two children, Tamara and Herbie Solomon, Jr. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the over 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in congratulating Judge Herbie L. Solomon on his retirement after 20 years of service to the Juvenile Court of Dougherty County. We send him all the best as he begins an exciting next chapter.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Sara Clementine James Benson of Albany, Georgia, who passed from labor to reward on November 27, 2025. A devoted educator, community leader, and stalwart of faith, Mrs. Benson dedicated her life to the service of others and to the betterment of southwest Georgia. A service to celebrate her remarkable life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, in Albany, Mrs. Benson--known to family and friends as Clem or Clemmie--was the daughter of the late Owen F. James, Sr., and Mary Harrell James. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1959 and, with the support of a full scholarship from the Las Amigas Civic and Social Club, earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Albany State College in 1963. She went on to receive a Master of Business Education in 1969. For more than three decades Mrs. Benson shaped young minds and strengthened academic institutions. Mrs. Benson understood that ``Education is the passport to the future, it belongs to those who prepare for it today.'' She served Albany State University with distinction--first as secretary for the Hazard Laboratory School and later as a valued member of the Business Education faculty. Upon her retirement in 1993, she was honored with the title Assistant Professor Emeritus of the School of Business. She continued to share her knowledge as an adjunct instructor at Albany Technical College. A committed sorority sister and civic volunteer. Mrs. Benson was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Sigma Chapter in 1962 and later served in Delta Eta Omega Chapter in numerous leadership roles. She was a Golden Soror with more than fifty years of service. Someone once said that, ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Benson paid her rent and she paid it well. Her civic involvement extended to Las Amigas Civic and Social Club, the Albany State University National Alumni Association, the Southwest Georgia Association for Convalescent and Aging Persons, and many other local organizations. She was very giving and never shy about asking others to give to the causes that she cared deeply about. She was very persuasive and would not take ``no'' for an answer. Mrs. Benson's faith and service were deeply rooted in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she provided leadership in New Members Orientation, the General Missionary Ministry, the Floral Club, Benevolence Ministry, and the Prison Ministry. A lifelong learner and warm companion, she enjoyed reading, bowling, playing the piano, and card games--always guided by the philosophy to ``lift as you climb.'' The great agricultural chemist George Washington Carver once said that ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong, because someday in life you will have been all of these.'' Mrs. Benson went far in life because she treated all people with dignity and respect and always reached her hand back to help others. Mrs. Benson leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Winfred Benson, Sr.; her daughter, Thedjuana (Jerry) Nicholson; a sister, Juanita James; three granddaughters, four great-granddaughters, a great-great- grandson; and a wide circle of family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors who will cherish her memory. Mr. Speaker, Sara Benson's devoted work as an educator, mentor, and community servant made a lasting difference in Albany and beyond. I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life and legacy of Sara Clementine James Benson. I join her family and the people of southwest Georgia in mourning her passing and in celebrating a life lived in service to others. May her example continue to inspire our communities to educate, uplift, and care for one another. We pray that all who knew and loved her will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the weeks, months, and years to come.

Mr. BISHOP

Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Al Hutchins of Blakely, Georgia, who is retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service on the Blakely City Council. An event to celebrate his extraordinary career in public service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Al Hutchins Community Center in Blakely, Georgia. Councilman Hutchins has devoted 25 years and 4 months to public service in our region, including more than two decades representing his community through the City of Blakely and as a representative with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission. Throughout his long career he has been a steady and principled leader, working to strengthen local government, improve services for residents, and support community development across southwest Georgia. His commitment to service has earned him numerous honors, including the Unsung Hero Award, Certificates of Congressional Recognition, multiple recognitions from the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission for long service and perfect attendance, a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Blakely for 20 years of service, awards from the Georgia Municipal Association for achievement and distinction, a resolution from Representative Gerald Greene and the Georgia House of Representatives, and recognition from the U.S. Census Bureau for community partnership and engagement--among many other certificates of appreciation from local organizations. These awards reflect the respect he has earned from colleagues, civic partners, and constituents. It has been said that the ``True person of success is not the person that climbs the ladder of this life with two hands but climbs the ladder of this life with one hand and reaches back with the other.'' Throughout his career in public service, Councilman Hutchins has always reached back to help others to reach their full potential. Beyond his public work, Al Hutchins is a devoted family man and active member of his faith community. He and his wife, Alice Hutchins, are parents to Machelle (Joyce) Hutchins, Allison (Andrea) Harrison, and Tre Hutchins, and proud grandparents of TiGeronika Lindsey, Bryson Hutchins, and Jru Harrison. He is a member of Empowerment Temple under the leadership of Apostle Turkeisa Rushin. On a personal note, Councilman Hutchins and his wife, Alice have become trusted friends and confidantes. They have supported me as their congressman and for their support, I will be forever grateful. One of the things that I appreciate most about Councilman Hutchins is the fact that he has wonderful sense of humor and the fact that you can almost count on him to tell a ``good joke.'' As Councilman Hutchins begins his well-earned retirement, Vivian and I join his family, friends, and the people of Blakely in thanking him for his tireless service and leadership. His steady stewardship and commitment to the common good, have left a lasting and positive mark on his community. On behalf of the more than 765,000 people of the 2nd Congressional District and my colleagues, I once again thank him for his service and wish him, Alice, and their family every blessing in the years ahead.