Sanford Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an esteemed educator and outstanding civic leader, Dr. Norman C. Francis. As the nation's longest-serving university president, Dr. Francis will be retiring after 47 remarkable years as president of Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, Louisiana. A reception hosted by the Honorable Mary Landrieu and the Honorable Alexis Herman will be held in his honor on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Dr. Francis, the son of a barber and a homemaker, first set foot on the campus of Xavier University as a student in 1948 and immediately stood out among his peers as a leader in all areas of academic excellence. Foreshadowing the legacy he would later build on this very campus, his fellow classmates elected him class president each year of his undergraduate study and student body president his senior year. When he graduated with honors in 1952, Dr. Francis left Xavier knowing that he would return someday. Later that year, Dr. Francis became the first African American to attend Loyola Law School in New Orleans. After graduating in 1955, he served our country with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army's Third Armored Division. After his honorable discharge, Dr. Francis worked on special assignment with the U.S. Attorney General to help desegregate federal agencies. Following his completion of this assignment, Dr. Francis found himself at a crossroads. He had a promising legal career ahead of him yet he yearned to be of service in higher education. Choosing the latter, where he thought his talents could be of greater use, Dr. Francis returned to his alma mater, becoming dean of men in 1957. Rising quickly through the ranks, he became the first African American and first layman to serve as president of Xavier University in 1968. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Francis has revolutionized Xavier University in countless ways during his 47-year tenure as president. Under his leadership, the university's enrollment has more than doubled, its endowment has grown eight-fold, and its campus has expanded from only five buildings to sixteen buildings on more than sixty acres. These changes are also reflected in the young leaders and model graduates that Xavier continues to produce. Xavier University is recognized as the leading producer of African American undergraduates who go on to complete medical school and one of the top three producers of African American Doctor of Pharmacy degree recipients. Xavier ranks first nationally in the number of African American students earning undergraduate degrees in biology and life sciences, chemistry, physics, and pharmacy. Dr. Francis' sphere of influence has not been confined to the campus limits of Xavier University. A nationally recognized figure, Dr. Francis has served in advisory roles to eight U.S. presidents on education and civil rights issues. He has also served on 54 boards and commissions. He has received 42 honorary degrees from other universities and numerous awards and commendations in recognition of his leadership in higher education as well as his selfless service to his community and to our nation. In 2006, then-President George W. Bush honored Dr. Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Norman C. Francis for his significant contributions to our nation and for his 47 outstanding years as President of Xavier University of Louisiana. His visionary leadership has helped transform this university for the better to provide students with a fulfilling college experience, a quality education focusing on academic excellence, and the necessary tools with which to live successful and productive lives.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding Man of God who has been a longstanding source of inspiration, spiritual guidance, and moral leadership to the Columbus, Georgia community, the Reverend James Calvin Harris, Sr. After sixty- four remarkable years of serving as Pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Columbus, Rev. Harris will be retiring this month. A celebration of his well-deserved retirement will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia. James Calvin Harris was born in Lee County, Georgia on April 7, 1925 to Elijah and Viola Harris as one of seven children. In 1944, at the age of 18, he began serving our country with courage and distinction in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Mr. Harris moved to Chicago and worked as a baker and dishwasher but later returned to Georgia to pursue his education. He attended Albany State University and then studied at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. His first church membership was St. Mathew Baptist Church in Lee County, which was pastored at the time by the late Reverend Allen A. Green. It was by this same pastor that Rev. Harris was licensed to the ministry on July 9, 1939 and ordained as a minister on August 10, 1949. Early on in his career, he pastored at several churches across Georgia, sharing his passion for the teachings of Christ. Following the path that God set out for him, Rev. Harris eventually came to call Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Columbus his home. When he began preaching at the church, it was a small wooden building with only 100 members. Thanks to his dedication and enthusiasm, Rev. Harris has been able to build the Church's membership to over 1,000 and make several extensive renovations and additions. Rev. Harris has always been popular with churchgoers because of the energy he brings to his sermons. Known by many as the ``singing and preaching'' pastor, Rev. Harris even authored and recorded an original song, ``God is a Battle Axe.'' During the Civil Rights Movement, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. often asked him to perform the song to offer encouragement at mass meetings. A charismatic evangelical leader and pioneer, Rev. Harris' spiritual zeal is both infectious and highly contagious. Always pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, to better improve the craft of Christian ministry and discipleship, Rev. Harris has worked tirelessly to promote Christian values and put them into action in his community. Throughout his career, Rev. Harris has played a leading role in many religious- affiliated and community-based organizations. He has also been honored with various awards and commendations too numerous to list here. Rev. Harris has accomplished many things in his life but none of these would have been possible without the grace of God and his loving wife, Maggie, who met her eternal reward in 2012 after sixty-seven years of marriage; their seven children, one of whom is deceased; eleven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. On a personal note, I have truly been blessed by Rev. Harris' sage counsel and enduring friendship over the many years I have known him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to the Reverend James Calvin Harris, Sr. for sixty-four wonderful years of leadership of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, over seventy-five remarkable years of ministry, and a lifetime of selfless service to God, the church, and to humankind.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this evening, hundreds of individuals from across the United States will be gathering at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Job Corps. Originally created by President Lyndon B. Johnson to wage the War on Poverty, the Job Corps program is one of the nation's most successful anti-poverty programs today. Job Corps empowers its participants to become productive members of society by helping them reach their goals, achieve educational aspirations, and learn a trade. I have seen first-hand the positive impact Job Corps has had on the graduates of Turner Job Corps in my hometown of Albany, Georgia. There is Marc Scotton of Atlanta, Georgia, who arrived at Turner Job Corps Center not believing in himself and not focused on his schoolwork. After successfully completing the program, he will begin an internship at an Atlanta radio station and plans to study Mass Communications at college. There is Anna Washington, who first heard of Turner Job Corps through her church. She chose to pursue a certification as a Medical Administrative Assistant. Staying focused, Anna completed her career pathway in six months. A year and a half ago, she became a certified Clinical Medical Administrative Assistant and attended advanced training at the Atlanta Job Corps. These two stories are but a few of the successes of the Turner Job Corps Center and the Job Corps program in general. Their achievements also are the result of the outstanding staff at these Job Corps Centers. The young men and women who successfully complete their training at Job Corps Centers across the country receive much more than a certificate of completion. They gain valuable career and social skills that will serve them well throughout their lives--all in a supportive environment that encourages growth and success. President Lyndon Johnson once said when describing his War on Poverty--``What we're trying to do--instead of people getting something for nothing, we're going to try to fit them where they can take care of themselves . . . That's our program. We don't want them to get something for nothing. We want to get them where they can carry their own weight.'' As the Co-Chairs of the Friends of the Job Corps Congressional Caucus, Congressman Christopher Gibson and I will work with the 79 other members of the Caucus to ensure that it continues to fulfill President Lyndon B. Johnson's goal now and into the future.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a woman of grace, class and dignity, Mrs. Maggie Crimes. Sadly, Mrs. Crimes passed away on April 17, 2015. Her funeral service was held on April 19, 2015, at New Hope Baptist Church in Preston, Georgia. Mrs. Crimes was born in Webster County, Georgia on September 1, 1927, to the union of the late Mr. Willie Muff and the late Mrs. Evelyn Hawkins Muff Colbert Holley. She was educated in the Webster County School System. At an early age, she joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Preston, Georgia. In later years, she was a dedicated member of New Hope Baptist Church, also in Preston. In 1944, she married Mr. Jimmie Lee Crimes, Sr. This union produced ten children. Following in the footsteps of the great African American woman entrepreneur, Madame C.J. Walker, she pursued her entrepreneurial dreams and opened Mom's Kitchen in Preston in 1981. At the request of former President Jimmy Carter, she opened a second Mom's Kitchen location in Plains, Georgia in 2000. She made Mom's Kitchen a family affair, as many of her children and other relatives are employed in the business. Mom's is a place where you can get a good meal, get good customer service, and talk about the burning issues of the day. Mother Crimes made Mom's Kitchen a place that is welcoming to all people from many diverse backgrounds. She was a dear friend to me and my wife, Vivian. She gave me a platform and venue at Mom's Kitchen that I used on many occasions to interact with constituents. Mother Crimes was a great woman who treated all people with respect. She loved her God. She was honest, hardworking, and always told you the truth. She instilled these values in all of her children. Mom truly believed in the words of George Washington Carver, when he 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 the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Maggie Crimes and in extending condolences on behalf of my wife and the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District. I know that her ten children, forty-three grandchildren, sixty-two great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren will all miss her presence and wise counsel. But, I know that they will be more determined than ever to carry out her legacy. Heaven now has the ``best cook'' around and Mom now serves in the ``greatest kitchen'' of all.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join Representative Brady on this important bipartisan legislation to repeal the death tax once and for all. I have always believed that the death tax is politically misguided, morally unjustified, and downright un-American. It is really a tax on success. The assets that people want to pass on to their progeny have already been taxed. If it is a business or if it is a farm, the individuals who earned it, who started the business, they paid income taxes. If it was a corporation, the corporation paid taxes also. Why should it be taxed a third time just to be passed on and just to keep the business together? It undermines the life work and life savings of farmers, small- to medium-sized businesses in Georgia and all across the Nation. We have all heard the statistics. The United States has the fourth- highest estate tax in the industrialized world at 40 percent. Only Japan, South Korea, and France have higher death taxes. Thirteen countries have repealed their taxes since 2000. It has a disproportionate impact on African Americans. A study by the Boston College professors John Havens and Paul Schervish several years ago estimated that between 2001 and 2055, the death tax will erase between 11 percent and 13 percent of all African American wealth. This one tax alone will cost African American households between $192 billion and $257 billion. Some people have argued that the estate tax is no longer a serious problem since we have permanently raised the exemption to $5 million for individuals and $10 million for couples to index it to inflation. Nothing can be further from the truth. According to the Georgia Farm Bureau, the exemption is barely keeping pace with increasing farmland values. In fact, the number of farms in Georgia with building and land values of over $5 million rose from 664 to 677 between 2007 and 2012. I just can't stand by and allow this estate tax to continue to punish family-owned businesses in Georgia and throughout the country. It is not just farmers. We have heard a lot about farms, but look at funeral homes, funeral directors who have multiple locations with rolling stock, caskets, limousines, hearses. That amounts to a pretty good amount of money. I have got constituents who own radio stations; finally, worked hard enough to have a family-owned business that would be able to be in communications. They started out with one radio station. Now they have got five stations in three different States. It is a family business. The husband, the wife, and now the three kids went to college, law school, and they are running the business. It is a shame that they would have to sell that business and, ultimately, have to lay off employees to pay the 40 percent estate tax. It is clear that the estate tax really hurts the economy.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. A study by the Tax Foundation found that repealing the death tax would increase U.S. capital stock by 2.2 percent, it would boost GDP, and it would create 139,000 jobs, which eventually increases Federal revenue. This is a tax on success. It is not a big contributor to the revenue of this country. It is a very, very--a drop in the ocean really, and so, it is time to repeal it. I urge my colleagues to really think realistically, not ideologically, and just do the right thing. I urge you to join my colleagues and repeal the death tax once and for all.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding Man of God who has been a longstanding source of inspiration, spiritual guidance, and moral leadership to the people of Southwest Georgia, the Reverend James R. Edwards. Rev. Edwards is retiring after pastoring the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Baconton, Georgia for almost twenty years. His friends, family, and church community will honor him at a celebration event on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Camilla, Georgia. An Arkansas native, Rev. Edwards began his ministry at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, where he earned degrees in Business Administration and Christian Education. From there, Rev. Edwards was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and began his active duty career on November 17, 1969 in Parris Island, South Carolina. He served our nation honorably for over thirty years both within the United States and overseas. He was promoted from private to warrant officer, and retired on May 31, 2000 with the rank of Major. He is decorated with the Navy Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. Following his calling, Rev. Edwards dedicated a significant portion of his time to ministry while in the Marines and afterward. He was ordained a deacon at Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church in North Chicago, Illinois in 1978. From November 1980 to June 1982, he served as deacon and Sunday School teacher at Marshall Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Midway Park, North Carolina. He then served as deacon and president of brotherhood for Second Missionary Baptist Church in Oceanside, California. While at the City of Refuge Christian Church in Waipahu, Hawaii, he accepted his calling into the ministry, preaching his initial sermon on Thanksgiving Day in 1985. He was ordained at the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Hawkinsville, Georgia in April 1989. Rev. Edwards served as associate pastor at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Dale, South Carolina and Grace Christian Church in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He served as pastor at Camp Smith Chapel in Honolulu, Hawaii, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Plainview, Texas, and Summerhill Missionary Baptist Church in Pelham, Georgia. The Second Congressional District of Georgia gained a compassionate and able leader when Rev. Edwards arrived in Albany, Georgia in September 1995. Throughout his pastoral career, always seeking to improve the craft of Christian ministry and discipleship, Rev. Edwards has served on numerous community boards, and as chairman of Faith Community Outreach and the Putney District Union; vice president of the Second District of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.; president of the Mitchell County Ministerial Alliance and Baconton Community Group of Churches; chaplain at the Jimmy Autry State Prison; and CEO of the Southwest Georgia Community House of Hope. And even still, while being the lead member in all of these ministries and organizations, he was also a member of the NAACP, National Naval Officers Association, Montford Point Marine Association, American Red Cross, Southern Leadership Conference, Blacks in Government, and Leadership Albany. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Edwards is a man of integrity who exudes the genuine principles and values of Christian discipleship. A charismatic evangelical leader and pioneer, his spiritual zeal is both infectious and highly contagious. Under his leadership, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church has stood as a beacon of light in our community, serving as a voice for the voiceless and guide for the lost by spreading the ministry and the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Along with his extensive church community, Rev. Edwards is surrounded by the love and support of his family--his wife, Ethel Louise Sheffield, and their five children, sixteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in thanking Reverend James R. Edwards for more than thirty years of dedicated service to our nation, twenty wonderful years of changing South Georgia for the better, and a lifetime of selfless service to God, the church and to humankind.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding Man of God, Bishop Victor L. Powell, who will celebrate his 25th anniversary as the distinguished pastor of Rhema Word Cathedral. An anniversary worship service will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Rhema Word Cathedral in Albany, Georgia. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Bishop Powell was born to be a leader. He served our nation honorably in the United States Marine Corps for nine years. He completed Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School and Defense Mapping School, and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bishop Powell also is a certified trainer with the Georgia Department of Corrections and has trained hundreds of law enforcement officers for the State of Georgia. Since 1990, Bishop Powell has led Rhema Word Cathedral, formerly known as Williams Spring Baptist Church. His God-given vision has taken the church to greater heights than ever before. Bishop Powell pastors one church in two locations--one in downtown Albany and one in Dawson, Georgia. He also founded Stand Up Again, Inc., a subsidiary of Rhema Word Cathedral and outreach ministry that serves local, regional, and even international communities, including Ghana, Guatemala, and Haiti. The Stand Up Again television broadcast reaches people throughout the region on a weekly basis. Not one to rest on his laurels, Bishop Powell serves as pastor to other pastors all over the world through Covenant Network Ministries. He is also the President and CEO of VLP, Inc., which provides training and motivational speaking to corporations and agencies. In October 2002, Bishop Powell was consecrated to the office of Bishop by Archbishop Earl Paulk of the International Charismatic Communion of Churches in Decatur, Georgia. Bishop Powell has served on the College of Bishops for the International Charismatic Communion of Churches; the Foundation Board for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital; and Stop the Violence Project. He has also served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Albany Chamber of Commerce; Capitol City Bank; Albany-Dougherty Governmental Study Commission; and Lily Pad of Albany. Using Bishop Powell as a vessel, God has reached into the hearts of many so that Rhema Word Cathedral has welcomed thousands of souls to this prolific ministry. A dynamic and ever faithful pastor, his ministry has stretched across the globe. As one of the premier preachers of our generation, Bishop Powell is well-known and sought after for his anointed, sound and understandable proclamation of God's Word. He is motivated by his love for people, his love for preaching, and his belief that no one is beyond God's reach. On a personal note, I have been truly blessed by Bishop Powell's sage counsel and enduring friendship over the many years I have known him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in thanking Bishop Victor L. Powell for twenty-five wonderful years of changing Southwest Georgia for the better, over thirty remarkable years of ministry, and a lifetime of selfless service to God, the church and to humankind.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Benevolence Missionary Baptist Church in Randolph County, Georgia as the church's membership and leadership celebrates a remarkable 162 years. The congregation of Benevolence Missionary Baptist Church celebrated this very significant anniversary on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the church near Cuthbert, Georgia. Tracing its roots back to the pre-Civil War era, the church was founded in 1853 when a group of former slaves set off from their landowners' church and boldly founded their own place of worship. This establishment would stand the test of time, becoming Benevolence Missionary Baptist Church. The Reverend Green McCarthy served as the first pastor of the new congregation, Jake Knighton served as the first deacon, and Dan Knighton served as the first usher. Since none of the members could read or write, Brother T.J. Coram served as records keeper until an African-American member, Brother Phelm Knighton, could become clerk. From the beginning, members paid what they could. Ideally, this was ten cents--raised to twenty-five cents in 1890--but when chickens, eggs, or vegetables were all people could come by, these were accepted instead. What mattered most then, as now, was not the money. It was the people--the people who overcame oppression, the people who took a risk in founding a new institution, and the people who renewed a community. So long as they remained united in their faith, they remained unshakeable to the core, and the details would be arranged in time. This ardent community of believers has extended its circle to include more and more members as the years have gone by, though it has never lost its essential character. Today, the spirit and faith of its people are manifested through four choirs, a Sunday school, a Mission and Vacation Bible School, a Trustee Board, and Junior and Senior Usher Boards. That same faith and spirit shine on even as light from the new stained glass windows paints churchgoers in colored, living vibrancy. And this faith and spirit extend beyond the church doors, in the presence of members who give fully of themselves wherever they go. Throughout the years, many ministers have been licensed or ordained from the church, and a number of pastors, deacons, and clerks have contributed to its legacy. The Reverend J.L. Kegler serves as the current pastor, alongside deacons Roy Burks, Richard Lee, Rodney Burks, Allen Steve White, and William Harrison, and clerks Yvonne Mitchner, Keisha Burks, Donella Knighton, and Monica Harris. The story of Benevolence Missionary Baptist Church, which recounts a long history of a group of believers coming together through the good and difficult times to praise and worship the Lord, is truly an inspiring one of the dedication and perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who put all their love and trust in God. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Benevolence Missionary Baptist Church in Randolph County, Georgia for its congregation's enduring commitment, despite adversity, to each other and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May their actions continue to inspire the community in courage, in dedication, and in faith.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fifteen outstanding women who at a young age had the courage to take a stand for their rights and were imprisoned for it, enduring horrific conditions and circumstances while confined within a Civil War-era abandoned stockade located deep in the backwoods of Leesburg, Georgia. These brave women will be honored at the 1963 Leesburg Stockade Women's Honor Program. This exceptional tribute, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Americus-Sumter County, will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia. Fifty-two years past, during a dark moment in our nation's history, fifteen valiant African-American adolescent girls from Americus, Georgia were unjustly imprisoned for their involvement in a peaceful Civil Rights protest in their hometown. Taken to the abandoned stockade, these girls, who were between 11 and 15 years of age, spent close to two months in conditions that were, quite simply, reprehensible. Deprived of clean water, adequate nutrition, proper hygiene, contact with their families, and other basic comforts, these innocent girls suffered acute physical and psychological turmoil as a result of their struggle for equality. Such wounds do not heal easily or quickly, yet even as cuts have turned to scars, these passionate and fiercely determined women have overcome. With this resiliency in mind, it is my privilege to announce that these devoted citizens stand together, ever courageous, to share their stories with the public for the first time. Ten individuals--Dr. Shirley Green-Reese, Willie Mae Smith-Davis, Dr. Carol Barner Seay, Melinda Jones Williams, Verna Hollis, Billie Jo Thornton Allen, Diane Dorsey-Bowens, Lula Westbrooks Griffin, Laura Ruff Saunders and Emmarene Kaigler Streeter--will speak of their experiences at the event, bringing vibrant testimony to the turmoil and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement. The remaining five women--Pearl Brown, Mattie Crittenden, Sandra Russell Mansfield, Annie Lou Ragans Laster, and Gloria Westbrooks Breedlove--are now deceased but will also be honored and remembered during the ceremony. A number of local, state, and national figures, including Americus Mayor Barry Blount; Senior Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club of America, Dr. Damon A. Williams; and Museum Specialist at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Deborah Tulani Salahu- Din, will be present to commemorate the outstanding fortitude of these remarkable women. Terrible though it was, their ordeal continues to spread awareness for the critical nature of Civil Rights across the country and thankfully, their trials have not been in vain. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in paying tribute to the enduring spirits, the dignity, and the impact of these fifteen valiant women from Americus, Georgia. They are living proof that the occurrences of the past survive within us today. Let us always be grateful to the 1963 Leesburg Stockade Women who paved the way for a better today and a brighter tomorrow for all Americans.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to a great friend and Emmy award-winning journalist, Ms. Dawn Hobby. Dawn has worked at WALB-TV in Albany, Georgia for more than 20 years and currently serves as the News Director. She will be retiring on March 20, 2015. For many years, Dawn was a familiar face on the evening news in Albany, Georgia. Indeed, she has built quite an impressive career which began when she worked as a producer at WALB. She later became a reporter and then an anchor. She launched the news operation for Albany station WFXL, before returning to WALB five years later. A prominent investigative reporter, Dawn has received numerous honors and awards for her work. In 2011, she won an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast for her work on the ``Gulf Oil Crisis'' special report. In 2007 and 2009, Dawn was awarded the Gabby Award for ``Best TV On-Air Personality'' by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters. She also holds three prestigious Golden Viddy Awards from the National Academy of Television Journalists for ``Best Female Anchor'' and ``Best Investigative Reporting.'' She has been honored by the Associated Press Broadcasters Association, the Green Eyeshade Awards for Excellence in Journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists, Georgia Trend magazine, and numerous other organizations and publications. Dawn is a 2011 graduate of the Raycom Media Leadership program and a 2012 graduate of the Poynter Leadership Academy at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Associated Press and was appointed to the Raycom Media News Directors Advisory Board in April 2014. Dawn's work at WALB, the NBC- and ABC- affiliated television station for Southwest Georgia, has made her a household name in Albany and the surrounding areas. She anchored WALB News 10 alongside Ben Roberts for more than 20 years, covering many of Southwest Georgia's most memorable events. I have had the pleasure of working with her throughout the years and I know she will truly be missed on the air and at WALB. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays often said: ``You make your living by what you get, you make your life by what you give.'' We are so grateful that Dawn has given her time and talents to keeping the residents of Southwest Georgia informed about current events taking place throughout the state of Georgia, our great nation, and the world. A woman of great integrity, her efforts, her dedication, and her expertise are unparalleled. Albany, Georgia shined a little brighter because of Dawn Hobby. Dawn has accomplished much in her life but none of it would be possible without the love and support of husband, Russell, and her son. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Ms. Dawn Hobby upon the occasion of her retirement from an outstanding career in journalism.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for putting together this Special Order, and I thank the gentleman for yielding. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.'' Debate is a natural consequence of representative democracy. Gridlock, on the other hand, is not. Sitting down with those across the aisle is not just an act of placing faith in political or ideological adversaries, but an act of placing faith in our egalitarian democratic system, a system, as it was, founded on the art of creating consensus in order to move forward. All of us here speaking from the well this hour believe in working together for better government, working for responsible government, working for transparent government. The moderate Blue Dogs are here not only to find common ground between lawmakers, but to forge an understanding of what it is to truly work together. The Blue Dog Coalition is dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics. We represent the center of the House of Representatives and appeal to the mainstream values of the American public. The coalition develops substantive proposals and positions distinct from those advocated by the extremes in both parties. Needless to say, we Blue Dogs are less swayed by the leadership of either party and more persuaded by the needs and the concerns of mainstream Americans. But this is nothing new. Twenty years ago, the Blue Dog Coalition was formed following the 1994 election. Over the past 20 years, many of our proposals have been praised as fair, responsible, and positive additions to a Congressional environment too often marked as partisan and antagonistic. Throughout those years, the Blue Dogs have been dedicated to solving problems based on five principles of political leadership: tell the truth; govern for the future; put the country first; be responsible; work together. My job is to represent the interests and the values of the people in my district in middle and southwest Georgia. As a Blue Dog Democrat, I push for commonsense measures that will make government work better for my constituents. The people of Georgia's Second Congressional District, like all Americans, deserve a government that puts their needs ahead of partisan politics. We seek to use the legislative process to create a higher, better quality of life for all of our citizens. Eliminating government waste and inefficiency are crucial to achieving this goal. We work with our colleagues on the right and the left, on both sides of the aisle, to pass commonsense reforms that will make government work for the people of our great Nation. As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to ensure that government works for the American people. I am committed to working together with my colleagues to pass legislation that eliminates Federal waste and inefficiency. If we can do this, it will give us a better chance at getting things done. That is how we rebuild trust with the American people, by showing them that we are doing the job we were sent here to do. Today, many folks might suppose that bipartisanship is dead. The Blue Dogs have been here and are still here to say that it is not dead. We are committed to working--not to finger point, not to fight, but to fix. I believe that problem solving together across both sides of the aisle we can make that happen. So I am delighted that my colleague, Mr. Costa, and my colleagues from the Blue Dog Coalition have come together with this Special Order so that we can say to each other, say to the American people, that we cry out for a government that will work for the people to get the needs, the common goals, the common hopes, and their common aspirations addressed. We may have differences, but we have more similarities than we have differences. If we find those common denominators of experience that combine us, we can get the job done for the American people. I thank you for this time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to the Reverend Curtis Raines, Sr., President of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia and beloved Pastor of New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia and Mount Zion Baptist Church in Bolingbroke, Georgia. Sadly, Rev. Raines passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2015. He leaves in his wake many heavy hearts among his church family, his supporters, and his community. On Friday, February 27, 2015, a memorial service will be held in his honor at New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, followed by a Homegoing Celebration on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Fellowship Bible Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. A Georgia man through and through, Rev. Raines was born on September 22, 1947. He studied at public schools in Upson County before attending the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Tennessee, the Georgia Baptist Theological Seminary, and Mercer University in Macon. He was licensed in the ministry in 1980 and ordained as a minister in 1981. He earned a Bachelor of Theology degree and a Master of Pastoral Ministry degree from Emmanuel Bible College in 1995 and 1997, respectively. Rev. Raines worked at Warner Robins Air Force Base as Production General Manager of Sheet Metal Manufacturing for more than 27 years until his retirement in 1993. He has served as Pastor of New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church for 30 years and Mount Zion Baptist Church for 27 years. Throughout his pastoral career, always seeking to improve the craft of Christian ministry and discipleship, Rev. Raines became Vice President and, later, President of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. (GMBC). Founded in 1870, the GMBC is the largest organization of African Americans in the state of Georgia. A revered leader, Rev. Raines oversaw a membership of over 800 churches, representing over 550,000 African-American Baptists in Georgia. He further enriched the spiritual lives of those around him by serving as President of Congress of the Mount Pleasant Association, Secretary of the Union Baptist and Educational Association, Chairman of the Board for the Adopt-A-Role Model in Macon, President of the Sixth District-General Missionary Baptist Convention, President of the Bellevue/Hillcrest Ministerial Association, and member on the Board of Directors for Parents to Support Public Schools, Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and Board of Trustees at Wesley Glen Ministries. A charismatic leader with an infectious spiritual zeal, Rev. Raines was known and loved in the Middle Georgia area and throughout the state. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his good works in Macon and in Bibb County. Rev. Raines was truly a man of integrity who exuded the genuine principles and values of Christian discipleship. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' Through his impact on the spirit, the faith, and the very wellbeing of his community, Rev. Raines certainly fulfilled his higher calling. We are all so blessed that Rev. Raines passed this way and during his life's journey did so much for so many for so long. Rev. Raines accomplished many things throughout his life but none of this would have been possible without the love and support of his beloved wife, Barbara, and children, Shun, Curtis, Jr., Varina, and Bryant. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District salute Reverend Curtis Raines, Sr. for his outstanding accomplishments in the ministry and for his dedication to his community. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Rev. Raines's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional woman and outstanding citizen, Mrs. Mildred Parish Massey. Sadly, Mrs. Massey, the mother of our dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California. Mildred Parish Massey was born in El Paso, Texas on June 6, 1924 to William Calhoun and Willie Pointer Parish. With her sisters, Juanita and Lois, Mrs. Massey attended Douglass Elementary and High School in El Paso, where she played the saxophone in the band and marched in the Sun Bowl Parade. She then earned a scholarship to attend Tillotson College in Austin, Texas and later transferred to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to study business administration. After college, Mrs. Massey worked for a time as registrar and secretary to the president of what is now Norfolk State University in Portsmouth, Virginia. She then returned to El Paso and gave birth to three daughters between 1946 and 1952, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Mrs. Mildred Whitfield and Mrs. Beverly Hardy. Mrs. Massey's daughters never had to look far for an outstanding role model. While at Southern University, Mrs. Massey had boycotted a sorority which barred a friend from pledging because of the darkness of her skin. She even organized for revered civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune to go to the university to help change the policy. Because of Mrs. Massey's efforts, the discriminatory practice was ended. Then, when El Paso began integrating its public schools, she was one of the first seven African-American students to integrate Texas Western College, now the University of Texas at El Paso. Mrs. Massey made history by being the first African American to be hired in not one, but multiple positions. She was the first black clerical worker at Ft. Bliss, Texas in the Postal Locator. After she moved to San Fernando, California in 1960, she was the first African American to work at the Raymond Lamp Company, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sylmar, California, as Assistant Manager of the Lerner Dress Store in Panorama City, California, and as Manager of the Rembrandt Sign Company in San Fernando. In short, Mrs. Massey's life in and of itself was a testament to the advancement of African Americans before, during, and after the Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. Massey was not only a trailblazer but also a devoted mother. At one point, she worked three jobs to support her daughters and aging father. Mrs. Massey was so dedicated to her children that after her retirement, she worked for another twelve years to help found and manage her daughter Congresswoman Barbara Lee's business. Throughout her life, this love and devotion continued to extend to not just her daughters, but her seven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild as well. Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies.'' Mrs. Massey is one such great soul, who served humanity in a special way. Each day she graced the people around her with an enthusiastic sincerity of presence. Her impression on this earth extends beyond herself to those whom she inspired and supported, and for it she will be remembered for time to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me and my wife, Vivian, in paying tribute to Mrs. Mildred Parish Massey for the inspiring life that she led. We stand united with Congresswoman Barbara Lee and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a respected public servant, outstanding citizen, and hero to his community, Lt. Randall E. Parker, Jr. Sadly, Lt. Parker passed away in the line of duty on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia. Lt. Parker was a native to Georgia and had served as a firefighter with the Macon Bibb County Fire Department since July 2, 1990. In addition to risking his life everyday to fight fires in the area, Lt. Parker was very active in his community and went above and beyond to show his love and compassion for those around him. He was heavily involved in his church, Christ Chapel Sportstowne in Macon, and also spent time doing work for United Way, the American Cancer Society, and the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival. He was a loving family man to his wife and sons, and his legacy will live on in the minds and hearts of all those whose lives he touched in Middle Georgia. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' Although his passing was tragic and before his time, Lt. Parker proved to us all what it truly means to be a hero. He left this world doing what he loved most--serving the people of Macon, Georgia. His impression on this earth extends beyond himself to the very wellbeing of the Macon community, and for it he will be remembered by the community for time to come. Lt. Parker is survived by his beloved wife of 14 years, Sandie; sons, Andrew and Chandler; mother and stepfather, Gwendolyn and Fred Dixon; brother and sister-in-law, Marcus and Teri Parker; and a host of other family members and friends. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District salute Lt. Randall E. Parker, Jr. for his exemplary service to Macon, Georgia as a firefighter and for the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Lt. Parker's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to a great friend and outstanding public servant, Ms. Gail Warren. Ms. Warren has served as the Congressional Liaison Representative, Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison for the United States Army since March 2000. She will be retiring on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Ms. Warren, a native of Bedford, Virginia, has lived and worked in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area for the majority of her career. Indeed, she has built quite an impressive career which began in 1976 when she commenced her civil service serving in the Pentagon as a Department of Defense Telephone Operator. She then moved on to the office of the Army Board for Corrections of Military Records. In 1982, Ms. Warren began serving in the Congressional Inquiry Division, Office of the Chief, Legislative Liaison, where she served for fifteen years as a Congressional Liaison Assistant. She was promoted to a Congressional Liaison Representative before she left briefly in 1998 to join the Army Inspector General's Office as a FOIA Specialist/Records Manager. In 2000, Ms. Warren returned to the Office of the Chief, Legislative Liaison as a Congressional Liaison Representative working in the Army House Liaison Division, where she has excelled for the last fifteen years. During her tenure as a Congressional Liaison Representative, Ms. Warren responded to countless telephone inquiries and handled many last-minute coordination requests. She consistently went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that Congressional offices had the information needed to respond to congressional and constituent inquiries. She provided expert advice on complex and unusual inquiries to the Army Leadership as well as to Members of Congress and their staffs. Her high standard of excellence and attention to detail ensured the trust and confidence of those with whom she worked. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays often said: ``You make your living by what you get, you make your life by what you give.'' We are so grateful that Ms. Warren has given her time and talents to serving as a connection between the Army and the Congress of the greatest nation in the world. A woman of great integrity, her efforts, her dedication, and her expertise are unparalleled. Capitol Hill shined a little brighter because of Ms. Gail Warren. Ms. Warren has accomplished much in her life but none of it would be possible without the love and support of her three children, Crystal, Kevin and Courtney, and her four grandchildren Javon, Derrick, Jabarie, and Diego. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Ms. Gail Warren upon the occasion of her retirement from an outstanding career in civil service.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a respected public servant, outstanding citizen, and dear friend, Captain Terry Timley. Sadly, Captain Timley passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Funeral services were held on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., at the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Georgia. Captain Timley worked for almost 38 years in the Macon Police Department, which consolidated with the sheriff's office in January 2014 to become the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. He was the head of Criminal Investigations of Property Crimes within the Criminal Investigations Division. Captain Timley devoted nearly four decades of dedicated service to the people of Macon through his meaningful contribution of energy, skill, and genuine passion. In 2013, the Macon Police Department presented Captain Timley with a Distinguished Service Award along with a Merit Award in recognition of his noble commitment to the safety of his community as well as the lasting impact he made within the workplace. Beyond these achievements and the respect held for him by his peers in law enforcement, he was an honorable human being who loved deeply and, in return, was deeply loved. Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies.'' Captain Timley is one such great soul, who served humanity in a special way. Each day he graced the people around him with an enthusiastic sincerity of presence. His impression on this earth extends beyond himself to the very wellbeing of the Macon community, and for it he will be remembered by the community for time to come. On a personal note, my staff and I will always remember and cherish the times Captain Timley would poke his head into our Macon District Office to check on us just to see how we were doing and offer his help. Captain Timley is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn; children, Terry, Jr. and Tyler; siblings, Walter, William, Thelma, Jerry, and Raymond; and a host of other family members and friends. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 people of the Second Congressional District salute Captain Terry Timley for his dedicated service and exceptional impact on Macon, Georgia. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Captain Timley's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great man, legendary musician and dear friend, Mr. Joseph ``JoJo Benson'' Hewell. Sadly, JoJo passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2014. A home-going celebration was held in his honor on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Occasions Event Center in Columbus, Georgia. JoJo was born in Phenix City, Alabama where he attended Mother Mary Mission School. He and his brothers, Gene and Fletcher, were gifted with musical talents which they shared performing together across the Columbus area. But JoJo was destined for greatness and he rose to become an incredibly well-known and adored American blues and soul singer with a distinctive style. JoJo was a passionate and dedicated artist who captured the hearts of hundreds of fans with his duets with Peggy Scott. Their best hits made it to the Billboard charts and eventually became gold records. The hit ``Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries'' was also nominated for a Grammy. For over 40 years, JoJo worked to accomplish his dream of making his music heard all around the world. His music traveled across nations delighting the ears of many fans of different backgrounds, and he became known as a great International Recording Artist. In 2004, JoJo was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame for his wondrous musical talent. He was also elected to become Ambassador of Music in Columbus, Georgia. Throughout his life, he continued to receive honors and accolades as he became a successful entrepreneur while still recording music and performing shows. JoJo was also an avid golfer. He loved the game and his life in many ways reflected it. On the front nine, he always managed to land in the fairway, with long beautiful drives, great approach shots, excellent chips, solid putts and thunderous cheers from the gallery. On the back nine, he struggled not to land out of bounds, to get back to the fairway, to avoid the hazards and to reach the greens--with loud groans from some in the gallery. But he did not pick up his ball and quit! He kept his pride, never gave up and continued planning his next shot and his next big show! As a man, JoJo was charming and his silver tongue and flamboyant persona melted the hearts of countless ladies who found themselves overcome and taken by his infectious charisma. But watch out! If you crossed him, that same tongue using the most acid invective and most colorful expletives could inflict a sharp and cutting tongue lashing-- an old fashioned ``cussing out!'' JoJo is survived by his children, Joseph Hewell, Jr., Gregory Henley, Dionne Henley, Collette McCoy, and Josette McCoy; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; siblings, Walter Gene Hewell, Vera Harris, Windon Harris, Litton Harris, Rita Harris, Lois Hewell Hall, Sherwood Hewell, Jessie Hewell, Michael Hewell, Danny Hewell, and Carl Stevens; lifelong companion Angela McCoy; lifelong friend Shirley Sturgis; and many, many friends. JoJo loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was my friend and he touched all of our lives in ways we will never forget. JoJo's legacy will live on in the spirit of his children and many stories and anecdotes will be enjoyed by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. JoJo's eleven siblings and many friends will always recount the joy of knowing, loving, and sharing the life of such a unique and accomplished man. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District and adoring fans across the world, continue to enjoy and cherish JoJo Benson's remarkable musical achievements. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to JoJo's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize H&H Soul Food at 807 Forsyth Street in Macon, Georgia. The popular Southern restaurant has been named the ``most iconic restaurant in Georgia'' by Thrillist.com, a website that specializes in food, beverage, and entertainment. In order to earn this honorable designation, a restaurant must have been in existence for at least 30 years, and yet still maintain its popularity among its clients. In other words, title winners not only survive the test of time, but they do so while remaining an ``icon'' in the community. H&H effectively does both. The restaurant traces its roots all the way back to the civil rights era, when owners Inez Hill and Louise Hudson, known affectionately as Mama Hill and Mama Louise, first opened the doors in 1959. They have been serving Southern classics ever since, with crowd pleasers such as fried chicken, peach cobbler, and of course, sweet tea. Historically, the eatery was frequented by prominent musical figures such as The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, and the Molly Hatchet Band. Legend has it that The Allman Brothers Band in their early years did not have enough money to pay for the food but Mama Louise took care of them anyway. She continued to serve other Southern musicians over the years and the restaurant also became a common meeting place for influential civil rights activists, including members and officers of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Adding to its list of modern celebrities and change-makers, H&H even welcomed a visit from Oprah Winfrey in 2007. Co-Founder Inez Hill passed away that very same year, and the restaurant suffered a brief closing at the end of 2013. Nevertheless, H&H overcame adversity and recovered successfully from financial difficulty with the assistance of Macon's Moonhanger Group. The restaurant is thriving again today and continues to welcome its regular patrons as well as new guests from all over. H&H's enduring imprint on Macon's landscape bears tribute to its lasting influence and historic renown in the hearts of the people of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the iconic H&H restaurant in Macon, Georgia for its rich history, its perseverance, and its dedication to serving the community the most delicious soul food around.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding citizen, leader, pastor and inspiration to the Columbus, Georgia community, Colonel (Ret) Roy George Plummer. Colonel Plummer will be retiring as JROTC Director of Army Instruction of the Muscogee County School District in Columbus, Georgia. A retirement dinner in celebration of Colonel Plummer will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. A native of Jamaica, Colonel Plummer enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in several military assignments in the United States and Germany. He completed his Active Duty Army career as Chief of Chaplains at Fort Benning. He currently serves as the Chaplain for Rotary International District 6900, The State of Georgia. As JROTC Director, he was responsible for eight high school JROTC programs and four other county JROTC programs. Since 1998, he has worked to create a successful district-level JROTC program which has grown from 400 cadets to an outstanding current operating enrollment of 1200 cadets. Under Colonel Plummer's leadership, the Muscogee County School District JROTC has earned GHSA State Rifle Championships, state- level awards in drill team and raider competitions, and honorable recognition in the annual JROTC Academic Bowl. Always pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, to better improve the craft of Christian ministry and discipleship, Colonel Plummer has been the Senior Pastor and CEO of Faith Tabernacle Community Church, Inc. in Columbus, Georgia since he founded the church in 1994. A shining light in the Columbus community, Colonel Plummer has played a leading role in several other religious-affiliated and community- based organizations, including the St. Francis Hospital Foundation, Columbus Hospice, United Way, Boy Scouts of America, and the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. To top off his diverse portfolio of service, Colonel Plummer served as an Assistant Professor at Columbus State University in the Department of Counseling Graduate Studies. He has earned a baccalaureate in Biblical Literature, Master of Arts in Human Relations and Group Process, Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling, Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care, and Doctorate in Divinity. This solid educational background coupled with his compassion and leadership inspired Colonel Plummer to create the Plummer Home for homeless and disenfranchised military veterans. Colonel Plummer has achieved numerous successes in his life, but none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and his four daughters and seven grandchildren. He lives by Psalm 27:1, ``The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Colonel (Ret) Roy George Plummer on the occasion of his retirement as JROTC Director of Army Instruction and recognizing him for his many great contributions to the people of Columbus, Georgia and the United States and for his life of selfless service to God, the church and to humankind.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the noble work of the Columbus (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated on the eve of its 50th anniversary. The Columbus (GA) Chapter was chartered on December 19, 1964. Its members and supporters will be celebrating this milestone at a luncheon on Saturday, December 13, 2014. The Links, Incorporated traces its origins back to 1946. Margaret Roselle Hawkins and Sarah Strickland Scott gathered seven friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form a group to respond to the pressing needs of the African-American community after World War II. Today, an esteemed international women's service organization, The Links, Incorporated aims to improve the lives of African Americans by providing them with essential resources and services which offer disadvantaged communities new hope for improved lives. I would like to take this opportunity to specifically acknowledge the great work of the Columbus (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The Columbus (GA) Chapter has implemented and sustained The Links, Incorporated's five programming categories: National Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The National Trends and Services facet of the Columbus (GA) Chapter champions the idea of empowering both the individual and the community through events such as a week-long community celebration that illustrates the positive impacts of diversity and multiculturalism. Displayed everywhere from government centers to schools to churches, The Links, Incorporated promotes ethnic pluralism within the community. In addition, The Links were the first to gather local black entrepreneurs and prospective customers together in order to explore shared interests and encourage the potential for reciprocal benefits. The organization also takes the time to honor the lifeblood of local communities: trash collectors, school bus operators, postal carriers, and cafeteria workers. It seeks to recognize every aspect of a community, understanding that everyone deserves respect and gratitude for the vital roles they play in keeping the community afloat. The International Trends and Services arm of the Columbus (GA) Chapter brings resources to countries across Africa through well- building and providing clean birth kits to those in Uganda and survival kits to women in Haiti. The organization's dedication to domestic and international service showcases the depth of its commitment to community betterment through public service. The Columbus (GA) Chapter has instituted numerous programs under its Services to Youth facet, including a mentor program for kids in kindergarten to young adults in college. Additionally, Services to Youth promotes the values of higher education by raising interest in STEM education and career paths by awarding scholarships, creating endowments, and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In line with its mission to promote cultural awareness through The Arts program, the Columbus (GA) Chapter partners with a number of arts institutions, such as museums, art councils, symphonies, and educational institutes to reinforce the importance of a strong minority presence in the art community. Last, but certainly not least, the Health and Human Services facet of the Columbus (GA) Chapter works to implement and maintain community services to address the disparities in health conditions negatively impacting minorities. In this regard, the Columbus (GA) Chapter has joined forces with Linkages to Life, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Walk for Healthy Living, and the National Childhood Obesity Initiative. Through the wisdom and strong leadership of its past fourteen presidents, the Columbus (GA) Chapter has given back so much to the African-American community and, in turn, the community as a whole. Today, the Chapter is led by current president, Olive Gibson Vidal- Kendall and boasts 33 spirited and outstanding members who provide over 1,500 hours of service each year. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 50 years of incredible and inspiring work by the Columbus (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The services this organization has provided to the greater Columbus community are immeasurable and there is no doubt in my mind that The Links, Incorporated will continue its worthy mission of promoting hope and prosperity for years to come.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen and valued peach farmer of Middle Georgia, Mr. John David Duke Lane, Sr., who sadly passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at the age of 87. Although he was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr. Lane had long since planted his roots firmly into Georgia soil. Following his graduation from Gordon Military College in Barnesville, Georgia, Mr. Lane studied at the University of Georgia, where he became a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. He married the former Caroline Martin, and the young couple decided to return to Middle Georgia and help Mr. Lane's grandfather, John David Duke, run the family business at Diamond D Farm, which Mr. Duke founded in 1908. Mr. Lane, or ``Big Duke'' as he was known, took the reins and the farm thrived under his leadership for many years. Mr. Lane, alongside his father, Dave Lane, founded Lane Packing Company, which is now a state-of-the-art facility and one of the most modern and efficient packinghouses in the industry. It has the capacity to pack and ship up to one million 25-pound cartons of peaches per season. Mr. Lane was an innovator and made a name for himself in the agricultural community of Middle Georgia, so much so that the Georgia Peach Council bestowed upon him the title of ``Mr. Peach'' in 2002. He was one of the first people in Georgia to see the potential of agricultural tourism. The packinghouse has covered walkways where visitors can stroll and watch as peaches are being packed. It also has a restaurant and a large gift shop, which draws more than 200,000 visitors a year. His children and grandchildren continue to operate the packinghouse and the farm, now known as Lane Southern Orchards, one of the largest peach-growing operations in Georgia. An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Lane enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent 44 years salt water fishing in Homosassa, Florida. In addition, he was fascinated by Indian artifacts and maintained an impressive collection of authentic arrowheads. But his greatest joy was roaming the farm, overseeing the growth and harvesting of the crops. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' Mr. Lane has done just that, leaving behind a great legacy of leadership in the peach-growing community of Middle Georgia. His great contributions to our state's reputation as the ``Peach State'' will live on as long as Americans and people from all over the world enjoy our delicious and succulent Georgia peaches. Mr. Lane is preceded in death by his daughter, Anne Lane Tribble, and brother, David Lane. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Rose Garrett Lane; his sons; Duke, Jr., Bobby, and Stevie Lane; stepchildren, Coleman and Lauren; and his beloved grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the Middle Georgia community in honoring the great John David Duke Lane, Sr. His leadership, wisdom, and keen business savvy helped make Middle Georgia's peach-growing industry the success that it is today. Mr. Lane was a remarkable man and a blessing to the state of Georgia and the nation as a whole. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time and we pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished public servant, principled business leader and dear friend to my wife, Vivian and me, Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre. Representative Smyre will be retiring this month as Executive Vice President of Corporate External Affairs of Synovus, a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia. Representative Smyre earned a degree in Business Administration from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. In 1974, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives as its youngest member at 27 years of age. I was honored to have served with Rep. Smyre during my own tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, and I feel blessed to have gained a dear friend. A 40-year legislative veteran, Rep. Smyre has built a repertoire of legislative accomplishments. He currently serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee and is Chairman Emeritus of the House Democratic Caucus. In 1983, Rep. Smyre transcended racial barriers when Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed him as Administration Floor Leader, making Rep. Smyre the first African American in history to hold this position. In 1985, he was elected to the Democratic National Committee, becoming the first African-American elected official from Georgia to serve on the Committee. Then, in 2001, Rep. Smyre made history again when Governor Roy Barnes named him Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, making Rep. Smyre the first African American to chair the state Democratic Party. Nationally, Rep. Smyre is President Emeritus of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and the immediate Past President of the NBCSL Foundation. In addition to his legislative achievements, Rep. Smyre has also built a successful business career. In 1976, he joined Columbus Bank & Trust Company, the Columbus-based division of Synovus, as a Manager Trainee. Two years later, he was promoted to Assistant Vice President and Marketing Officer. He served as Assistant Vice President and Vice President of Corporate Administration for Synovus from 1984 to 1990 and as Vice President of Corporate Affairs from 1992 to 1994. In 1996, Rep. Smyre was named Senior Vice President and Assistant to the Chairman for Community Affairs. In 1999, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and has served in this position ever since. In addition, he has the role of Synovus representative on the Financial Services Roundtable, the leading advocacy organization for the financial industry headquartered in Washington, D.C. As former Chairman and CEO of the Synovus Foundation, the organization that directs corporate and philanthropic gifts from Synovus, Rep. Smyre has been one of the driving forces in ensuring that the company creates goodwill in the communities that it serves. Synovus boasts approximately $26 billion in assets and provides commercial and retail banking and investment services to consumers in the southeast United States. The company has been named one of Fortune magazine's ``100 Best Companies to Work For'' in America multiple times. Although his business career and legislative duties have kept him busy, Rep. Smyre still finds the time to serve his community in various other capacities. He has held leadership and membership positions on numerous boards, foundations and organizations. He is a devoted Christian and has been a member of Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church for over fifty years. Nelson Mandela once said, ``For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.'' Rep. Smyre embodies this statement thoroughly, for in light of his great personal success, he continues to fight to ensure that every voice is respected and heard. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the Columbus, Georgia community in honoring Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre for his decades of leadership at Synovus. While he leaves behind a great legacy at Synovus, we have certainly not seen the last of Rep. Smyre. He will continue to represent his constituents in the state legislature and he will continue to serve the Columbus community with integrity and distinction.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, you have heard that Representative John Dingell from Michigan is the longest-serving Member of the House of Representatives in the history of this institution. You have heard that he has been a Member since 1955 and has held a seat in this body since President Eisenhower sat in the White House. You heard that exactly 1 day and 73 years ago, a young John Dingell, then a page in the House, was standing in this very room when President Roosevelt gave his declaration-of-war speech against Japan. He was a page. Needless to say, it has been a long road of public service for our friend and colleague, John Dingell. A great defender of civil liberties, John Dingell stood beside President Johnson as he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Over his illustrious career, he fought for civil rights, for clean water, for Medicare, for American workers' rights. On a more personal note, he has always been helpful to me even when I was just a wet-behind-the-ears freshman, and he shared his overflowing reservoir of knowledge and wisdom about the history and customs of this body and the workings of Congress. He will be missed. Mr. Speaker, I will always remember and appreciate his character, his integrity, and his courage in the fight for a better quality of life for the American people. A poet wrote: The tree that never had to fight For sun and sky and air and light, But stood out in the open plain And always got its share of rain, Never became a forest king But lived and died a scrubby thing. The man who never had to toil by hand or mind in life's turmoil, Who never had to earn his share Of sun and sky and light and air, Never became a manly man But lived and died as he began. Good timber does not grow in ease: The stronger winds, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The rougher the storm, the greater strength. By wind or rain, by sun and snow, In trees and men good timbers grow. John Dingell is good timber. Sir, you will be sorely missed. Thank you for your service.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to extend my personal congratulations to Dr. Timothy S. Mescon, the fourth president of Columbus State University, who will be leaving Columbus State to work at the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International as the senior vice president and chief officer for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, he will be honored by the community for his career and many achievements at Columbus State University. Dr. Mescon, along with his wife Lauren and four children William, Preston, Abbie, and David, have lived a fulfilling life supporting the mission of excellence at Columbus State. Before arriving at Columbus State in August 2008, Dr. Mescon was Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta for 18 years, holding the Tony and Jack Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Entrepreneurship. He is a Ph.D. recipient from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, and also has received an MBA from Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business and a B.A. from Tulane University. Dr. Mescon also served on the faculties of the University of Miami and Arizona State University. He was founding Dean of the Frank Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University in Maryland and serves on the Advisory Board of the Kingston University (U.K.) School of Business and Law. Additionally, Dr. Mescon has served as a visiting fellow at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Under his six years of leadership, Columbus State University has grown in prestige and stature. It launched its first doctoral program and an array of graduate programs, including the nation's first program in Servant Leadership. The university restructuring under his tenure created Columbus State's Honors College and Graduate School, College of Letters and Sciences, College of the Arts Turner College of Business, and College of Education and Health Professions. Additionally, the School of Nursing added graduate programs and changed its accreditation to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the chemistry program received national accreditation from the American Chemical Society, and in 2014 CSU was named winner of the Senator Paul Simon Prize for outstanding international education programs. Columbus State has established extensive partnerships with Ft. Benning, the Maneuver Center of Excellence, and has been recognized as both a Yellow Ribbon and a Military Friendly School. It added 20 club sports, five NCAA Intercollegiate sports, and built the nation's top Student Recreation Center. Lastly, under his leadership, the 2011 NCAA National Rifle Championship was hosted by Columbus State University and the Army Marksmanship Unit based at Ft. Benning. For the first time ever, Columbus State was named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 50 Comprehensive Public Universities in the South for 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Columbus State's online graduate programs in business and education were named among the top 35 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for 2013. Dr. Mescon is the author of more than 200 articles and case studies, and has co-authored four books and an audio book series covering topics ranging from entrepreneurship to management, development to business success. Locally, Dr. Mescon has given much to our community. As a trustee of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and the Chattahoochee Council with the Boy Scouts of America, Dr. Mescon's philanthropic presence will be sorely missed in the greater Columbus area. He also serves as an ally in the Circles in Columbus anti-poverty program, Chair for the annual campaign for the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, and a member of the Fort Benning Futures Partnership Board. Of course, Dr. Mescon's service has not gone unnoticed. Georgia Trend Magazine named Dr. Mescon one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Nationally, the White House has named him a winner of the President's Volunteer Service Award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation and he has received the national Award of Excellence from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating Dr. Timothy S. Mescon for six outstanding years as President at Columbus State University. He has truly implemented an outstanding vision for Columbus State University and brought leadership to our community. I am profoundly grateful for his outstanding stewardship and dedication and wish him well in all his future endeavors.