Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of reverence and deep personal gratitude to honor Mrs. Shirley Miller Sherrod on the 60th anniversary of her tireless work for civil rights, economic justice, and the dignity of underserved farmers and rural communities. An event to celebrate her advocacy and remarkable life will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Albany, Georgia.

A daughter of the Jim Crow South, Shirley Sherrod's life is testimony--written in endurance, courage, and relentless love. Born and raised in rural Georgia, she watched injustice with her own eyes as a young woman: at 17 she witnessed an all-white grand jury refuse to indict the man who took her father's life. From that wound came a vow-- to spend her life defending the rights of her people. That vow was kept, not with fire or fanfare, but with steady, sacrificial labor that changed lives and moved a Nation.

Her commitment was strengthened by education and faith. Mrs. Sherrod studied at Fort Valley State University and Albany State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree; she holds a master's degree from Antioch University and is a 1993 Kellogg Fellow. Those classrooms sharpened her mind and equipped her to lead with both wisdom and humility.

Following the example of her parents, including her mother, Mrs. Grace Miller, Shirley set out to make a difference. Together with her late husband, the Rev. Charles Sherrod, she helped found the Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education and co-found New Communities, Inc., the Nation's first community land trust. For decades they sought to secure land, bread, and dignity for Black families who had been denied both. They fed the hungry, taught the hopeful, defended the dispossessed, and refused to surrender a dream of justice even when drought, discrimination, and punitive government practices deprived them of the land they had nurtured.

When Shirley was appointed Georgia Director of Rural Development at USDA, she carried with her a lifetime of moral authority. When she was wrongfully forced from that office amid deceit and malicious editing, she bore the blow with quiet strength that only deepened my admiration. She returned to the trenches she had always known--the fields, the co- ops, the kitchen tables of small farmers--refusing bitterness and choosing again to build.

For sixty years Shirley has been a voice for those whose voices are too often crowded out: Black farmers fighting to hold their land; children denied equal education; families seeking access to markets and capital. She has organized, taught, advocated, and led institutions-- The Sherrod Institute, New Communities at Cypress Pond (Resora), The Southwest Georgia Project--that remain beacons of hope and practical help for a new generation.

On a personal note, Shirley and Charles were more than colleagues in the struggle--they were friends and moral companions. They both stood with me in places of decision and pressure; they supported me and, with humility, held me accountable when justice demanded it. Shirley's friendship has been a sustaining gift--her counsel frank, her faith unshakable, her love a steadying hand through seasons of trial.

There are moments in life that narrow everything to one clear truth. For Shirley, those moments have been countless acts of service: cajoling a reluctant lender to hear a farmer's story, sitting late with a grieving family, coaxing young leaders to raise their eyes to both truth and possibility. Her life makes real the Scripture that comforts and convicts us: ``Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves'' (Proverbs 31:8). She has spoken--and acted--without ceasing.

Mary McLeod Bethune once urged us to ``Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.'' Shirley Sherrod has lived that charge--investing in people, cultivating promise, and revealing the brilliance in communities too often overlooked.

Mr. Speaker, we gather not merely to laud achievements, though they are many, but to give thanks for a life poured out in pursuit of justice and mercy. We honor Shirley Sherrod for sixty years of faith made visible, for the countless lives she has steadied and lifted, and for the example she sets for all who would work for a fairer America.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian and me in celebrating Mrs. Shirley Miller Sherrod--a reformer, a teacher, a friend, and a true steward of hope-- and to pledge anew our support for the work she leads so faithfully. May God bless her, keep her, and multiply the harvest of her labors for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, today, our country lost a dedicated public servant, as well as our State and the people of the 13th District of Georgia. We lost our friend and colleague, Congressman David Scott of Georgia.

David and I served side by side for decades, first in the Georgia General Assembly, later the House of Representatives here. We shared a friendship that was rooted in faith, family, and a deep commitment to the people we represent.

I have known David and his family for many years. My wife, Vivian, and I join countless Georgians in mourning his loss and in holding his loved ones close.

As leader of the House Committee on Agriculture, David's voice was steady and compassionate. It was particularly poignant when in 2020, David became the first African-American chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, a historic moment that reflected his years of principled leadership. He used that platform to fight for 1890 land-grant institutions and disadvantaged farmers who too often have been left behind, working tirelessly to secure resources for the agricultural producers, rural communities, and nutrition programs that sustain our State and our Nation.

David's devotion to the larger agricultural community, from small family farms across Georgia to cooperative extensions and HBCU researchers, was personal and persistent. He understood that the health of our farms, the dignity of our workers, and the nourishment of our people are bound together. He labored each day to translate that understanding into results.

To Alfredia, his children, grandchildren, and all who loved him, words cannot fully express our sorrow. We will honor David's memory by continuing the work that he loved--by standing with our farmers, defending nutrition programs, and fighting for opportunity for all.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott), my friend and colleague, for his remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to please rise for a moment of silence in memory of our colleague, Congressman David Scott of Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 5 o'clock and 19 minutes p.m.), under its previous order and pursuant to H. Res. 1206, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9 a.m. as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honorable David Scott of Georgia.

Thereupon (at 5 o'clock and 19 minutes p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9 a.m.

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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.