Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose life and work have enriched our community and lifted the lives of countless Americans--Arsburn ``Oz'' Raynard Roberts--who, after 43 years of distinguished service at Aflac, now retires as the company's Historian. An event to celebrate his remarkable career will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the AFLAC Worldwide Headquarters in Columbus, Georgia.

Oz's story is one of creativity, commitment, and compassionate service. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, he brought artistry and vision to every role he held. For over 35 years he served as Second Vice President and Executive Producer of Event Productions and Audiovisual Services at Aflac Worldwide Headquarters in Columbus, Georgia. An Emmy Award- winning producer and director, an award-winning photographer and graphic designer, Oz turned corporate events into moments of dignity and joy, and he turned the ordinary into the unforgettable.

Through four decades of work, Oz produced and orchestrated events for world leaders, beloved entertainers, civil rights icons, and champions of sport--from Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush to Ambassador Andrew Young; from poet Dr. Maya Angelou and civil- rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery to Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf; from Gladys Knight and Earth, Wind & Fire to Super Bowl Champions Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. He made the Aflac stage a place where excellence met humanity, and where people felt seen and honored.

Oz's influence extends far beyond Aflac's walls. He served the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant as vice president of the board of trustees, producer/director, and vice president of scholarship and fundraising. He has judged Miss America state preliminaries across the Nation and contributed to scholarship pageants that open doors for young people. He has been a leader in civic and cultural life--on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, the Riverside Theater Advisory Council, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Board of Trustees, the Columbus Ballet Board, the Hardaway High School Alumni Association, and many more-- bringing passion, stewardship, and an unwavering belief in the power of the arts and education.

A stalwart in fraternal and community organizations, Oz is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has served as chapter president of Delta Iota Lambda, and chairs the Columbus chapter of 100 Black Men of America and the Annual Black History Observance Committee. His many honors--Photographer of the Year, Global Leadership Award, Outstanding Leadership and Service recognitions from PanHellenic and local institutions, the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service, and Man of the Year from the Not a Bad Apple Foundation--reflect a lifetime of leadership and selfless service. It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Oz has paid his rent, and he has paid it well.

But titles and awards only tell part of Oz's story. Those who know him remember his steady presence, his generous mentorship to young professionals, and the way he transformed technical production into human connection. He taught others that true success is measured not in applause but in the opportunities, you create for others--in the scholarships awarded, careers launched, stages shared, and communities strengthened.

On a personal note, Oz has been a friend for many years. What I have always admired about Oz is that he steps up when he sees a need in the community. I will be forever grateful for his commitment, fidelity, and his friendship.

Oz has accomplished many things in life, but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his wife Vanessa (VJ) and his daughter, Jessica. As he steps into retirement from a remarkable Aflac tenure that spanned four decades and touched presidents, community leaders, entertainers, and thousands of coworkers,

we salute a husband, a father, a friend, and a cultural steward whose work at Aflac has left an indelible mark on Columbus, the region, and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Arsburn ``Oz'' Raynard Roberts for 43 years of extraordinary service at Aflac--for his creativity, leadership, and unwavering devotion to community. We thank him, we celebrate him, and we wish him and his family joy and blessing in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a grief that feels both personal and profound, to honor the life of Dr. Taylar N. Williams--a beloved wife, mother, educator, and light to so many in our community. A funeral service to celebrate her remarkable and purpose-filled life was held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.

The genesis of the life of Dr. Taylar Williams began in July 1993 to the union of Eric and Ariel Martin. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Albany State University serving with grace and pride as the 72nd Miss Albany State University. She went on to receive her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University. While at Albany State University, she was initiated into the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Sigma Chapter, where she carried the sorority's motto of ``By culture and merit'' into every room she entered. It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Taylar Williams paid her rent and she paid it well.

Taylar's life was a soft, steady miracle. She did not seek the spotlight; she created sanctuaries. Beginning her career in the Dougherty County School System, Taylar quickly became a devoted advocate for students and families. She served as Lead Exceptional Student Program Teacher, was named the 2023 to 2024 Teacher of the Year at Live Oak Elementary School and later became the district's first Human Resources Recruitment Coordinator. Her commitment to children and to the teaching profession guided every step of her journey. In the halls of Lee County Primary School, where she served as Assistant Principal, she made room for the small, sacred things that change the course of a child's lives. The great agricultural chemist George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday you will have been all of these.'' Taylar Williams went far in life because she never forgot this valuable lesson.

She loved fiercely and without reservation. To her husband, George, she was everything a partner could be: loyal, tender, fierce in protection, and generous to the core. To Noelle, Nova, George IV, and little Grant Luke, she was a dedicated mother.

Taylar's faith and her joy were never separate from her work. She carried the dignity of Albany State University, the pride of HBCU tradition, and the discipline of scholarship--culminating in a Doctor of Education--into classrooms, staff meetings, and parent conferences. She led with humility, believing every child deserved patience, expectation, and love. She refused to let a child be unseen.

We grieve a life cut far too short at thirty-two, We grieve the birthdays she will not attend, the graduations she will not applaud, the quiet Sundays she will not fill with her laughter. The empty space she leaves is vast. And yet, in that space we also feel an abundance-- of memories, of lives bent toward better because she loved them, of children who will walk forward a bit braver because she believed in them.

My thoughts and prayers go out to George, Noelle, Nova, George IV, and Grant Luke. I cannot fathom the depth of their sorrow, but I know this--the love Taylar poured into them did not vanish. It lives in the prayers she taught, in the confidence she instilled, in the way their hands know how to comfort one another. When they remember her, they will find her in their hearts forever.

I hope her colleagues and the children she served keep her work alive. Continue to be the steady presence she modeled. Let her example be the standard by which we measure our care for one another--small acts, done faithfully, that stack into a life that matters,

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life of Dr. Taylar N. Williams. In a time when we tend to forget the human work of love and care, Taylar's life was a clarion reminder of what truly sustains a Nation: people who show up for one another, who choose children over convenience, who teach not because it is easy but because it is necessary. She reminded us that greatness is often gentle and that the most powerful public service happens in classrooms, not on podiums.

We honor Dr. Taylar N. Williams not with hollow words but with the promise to carry forward what she gave us: compassion without condition, unwavering faith in young people, and the courage to do the small, difficult things every day.

May her family be wrapped in our prayers. May her students remember her lessons of love. And may her light--brief, brilliant, and true-- continue to guide us until we meet again. God bless Dr. Taylar N. Williams, and God bless her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow to pay tribute to The Honorable Loring A. Gray, Jr., a devoted public servant, a beloved judge, a Navy veteran, and a man whose life was defined by service, compassion, and quiet dignity. A service to celebrate his remarkable life was held on February 28, 2026, at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany, Georgia.

Born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital on June 8, 1947, Loring Gray answered his country's call as a young man, serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. He returned home and pursued law, graduating from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1976. From the moment he took the oath of office as an assistant district attorney in Dougherty County, to his decades as a distinguished Superior Court judge--including many years as Chief Judge--Judge Gray exemplified the very best of our justice system: fairness, firmness, and an abiding respect for the human dignity of every person who stood before him.

Judge Gray's influence reached far beyond the courtroom. He guided the remodeling of the Dougherty County Courthouse with a steward's care for institutions that bind communities together. He mentored young lawyers, supported the Mock Trial program, and served the broader judiciary as a Senior Judge and Mediator after retirement. Those who knew him recall his formidable presence on the bench balanced by an unexpected and gentle wit--a man who could be exacting in law and tender in life. His devotion to Adoption Days, where he helped give new families legal and spiritual beginnings, revealed a judge whose justice was always married to mercy.

He was a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany-- teaching Sunday School, serving as an usher, and serving on the vestry--living the church's call to love and to serve. His life was guided by the Latin motto he cherished, not for yourselves--``Sic vos non vobis.'' That principle shaped everything he did: his law practice, his public service, his friendships, and the hospitality he shared-- from orchestrating UGA tailgate gatherings to welcoming friends at his table.

Judge Gray was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Loring A. and Virginia Gray, and by his wife, Virginia Looney Gray. He is survived by his son Russell Gray and daughter Liz Gray Barfield, grandchildren Ansley, Will, and Lilia, his siblings and extended family, and a community that benefited from his steady wisdom.

Today, we give thanks for a life well lived--a life that taught us that the law is more than statutes and precedent; it is the tender administration of justice with compassion. We mourn his passing, but we also celebrate the countless lives he touched: children placed in loving homes, young lawyers encouraged to do right, courthouse staff steadied by his example, and neighbors across Dougherty County who knew the safety and grace of his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the memory of Judge Loring A. Gray, Jr.--a man of intellect, integrity, and heart. May his family find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy of service will endure and may we all take inspiration from his life to serve our communities with the same humility and devotion. God bless his memory.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a grateful heart to honor a man whose life reads like a prayer answered in service--my dear friend Dan Doleman, Jr. Mr. Doleman will be honored at a Black History Month Celebration with the Living Legend Award at Holsey Monumental CME Church on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Born in Columbus Georgia in 1941 to Dan Doleman, Sr. and Maggie Jackson. Dan's story began in a home that taught responsibility and love. A 1960 graduate of William H. Spencer High School, he answered his country's call in the United States Air Force, continuing his studies at American University and the University of Maryland while in uniform. After his honorable discharge he pursued higher learning at Savannah State and, in 1970, earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University at Buffalo--the start of a 56-year career spent healing bodies and restoring hope.

Mr. Doleman's hands have steadied countless lives--from Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo to Pine/Oak Manor Rehab Center, to home health agencies across Georgia and Alabama, to the Cerebral Palsy Center and Easter Seals. In 1990 he opened Rivertown Rehab, Inc., the first African American rehabilitation service in Columbus--not for fame or fortune, but to fill a need and answer a calling. Patients left his care steadier in body and lighter in spirit because he treated every person as if they were family.

His faith has been the compass of his life. For eight decades at Holsey Chapel C.M.E. Church he served in the music ministry, as a lay leader, and now as chairman of the steward board. The scripture he held close--Colossians 3:23--became more than words: ``Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.'' That verse was not merely a guide for Dan; it was the pulse of his days.

Dan's professional and civic life reads like a ledger of quiet courage: appointment by Governor George Busbee as the first African American member of the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy; decades of teaching and supervising students at Tuskegee University and Georgia State; leadership on the Health Systems Agency of Central Georgia; service on boards from Synovus to the YMCA to the Historic Liberty Foundation; and serving on the Muscogee County School Board. Honors followed--Citizen of the Year, humanitarian

awards, leadership citations--but he wore them softly, like well-earned shoes that carried him back to the work.

Through every title and every plaque, Dan Doleman remained first and always a family man. For 60 years he and Deloris Porter Doleman built a marriage rooted in prayer and perseverance. They raised two daughters, Danita and Donna, and reveled in grandchildren--Shane, Shawna, A.J., Braylon, and Alexandria, now resting in God's care. As the eldest of seven, he learned early what it means to lead with tenderness.

If one line could capture Dan's life--the steady covenant of his hands and heart--it would be this: ``Live to mend what is broken, and in doing so, heal the world a little at a time.'' That sentence was his quiet credo; his practice made it true. He taught us that healing is never only clinical--it is patience, listening, the willingness to stand in pain with another until they can stand alone.

On a personal note, I have known Dan and Deloris Doleman for many years, and they have been close friends and confidantes. I will be forever grateful for their fidelity and support over the years.

Mr. Speaker, there are people who make noise, and there are people who make a home of service. Dan Doleman, Jr. made the latter. When you needed someone to listen, to steady, to fight quietly for dignity and care, Dan was there. His life is a testament to humble excellence and abiding love.

I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Dan Doleman, Jr.--a healer, a leader, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend whose hands and heart made Columbus stronger. May we carry forward his lesson: to labor with our whole hearts, to repair what is broken, and to love without counting the cost.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with profound pride and deep emotion to honor Mrs. Eloise Richardson Paschal of Americus, Georgia, as she marks her 90th birthday--a milestone that asks us not merely to count years but to measure a life of service, sacrifice, and steadfast love. A celebration will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Georgia Southwestern State University Griffin Bell Conference Center in Americus.

Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, Eloise Paschal came of age when opportunities for young Black women were too often limited. Yet she refused to be defined by limitation. She earned a BA in Elementary Education from Benedict College in 1958 and a master's in library science from Atlanta University in 1967. Those degrees were not ornaments but tools she used to open doors for generations of children and light the path for those who would follow. She believed, and taught, that ``education is the passport to the future.''

For more than 38 years Mrs. Paschal stood at the front of classrooms across Sumter County--at Lyons Elementary, Staley Junior High, and schools throughout Americus--teaching not only reading and arithmetic but dignity, perseverance, and hope. She stayed late for the child who needed extra help; she sat with frightened parents; she celebrated every small victory as if it were her own. Countless students who struggled in silence found in her classroom and her heart someone who believed in them fiercely. That belief changed lives, lifted careers, healed wounds, and set ripples into motion that touched families and communities.

Her honors--listings in Academic Who's Who of American Teachers and Who's Who Among Black Americans--recognize excellence but cannot capture the quiet, daily acts of love that defined her teaching: handwritten notes of encouragement, patient reteaching until understanding dawned, and the stern but kind firmness that taught children not only what to learn but how to live.

Mrs. Paschal's service extended beyond the classroom. As a charter and life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Americus Alumnae Chapter, she worked to uplift women and families. In 1995, she became one of the first two women elected to the Americus City Council--a historic milestone reflecting both her leadership and her community's trust. For 16 years she stewarded the public trust with humility and steady resolve, focusing on education, health, economic opportunity, and dignity for all.

Her civic footprint includes service on the Georgia Southwestern Foundation, Magnolia Manor Foundation, Sumter County Library Board, and the Board of Directors of Sumter Bank and Trust--roles where decisions shape institutions and neighbors' lives. As a deaconess and choir member at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, she nurtured the spiritual life of her community, living proof that faith without works is lifeless. In every role she led with compassion and acted with courage.

Behind every public life is a private heart. Mrs. Paschal was married for 55 years to Mr. Willie Paschal; her love sustained a family. She raised her son Stanley with tenderness and conviction and beams with pride at her grandchildren, Grant and Drew. Her family's accomplishments are a living testament to the values she instilled: integrity, hard work, faith, and the conviction that education secures human dignity.

Her life traces the arc of our Nation's struggle and progress. She lived through segregated schools and the long work of change; she taught during times of upheaval and hope; she served in local government as Georgia and the Nation strove toward a more perfect union. Through it all she remained constant: steady in faith, fierce in advocacy for children, and tender in care for neighbors. She sought no limelight; her rewards were the lives transformed--the shy child who found confidence, the parent eased by counsel, the community strengthened by steady hands.

On a personal note, Mrs. Paschal and her family have been dear friends and supporters for many years. I will be forever grateful for their fidelity and friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in recognizing Mrs. Eloise Richardson Paschal for her extraordinary lifetime of service. Let us thank her for lessons that go beyond any curriculum: perseverance, responsibility, and love. May we each carry forward her example: teach one more child, serve one more neighbor, and believe in the power of small acts to change the world.

On behalf of a grateful community and a grateful Nation, I congratulate Mrs. Paschal on her 90th birthday. May God bless her with continued health, comfort, and joy, and may her legacy inspire many more to walk the path of service she has so faithfully trod.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow but also with deep gratitude to pay tribute to a man whose life was a testament to faith, service, and love--Sheriff John Bowens of Terrell County, Georgia. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable and purposeful life was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Dawson, Georgia. Born August 17, 1946, in Dawson, Georgia, John Bowens grew from humble beginnings into a leader whose steady hands and steady heart guided a community for more than three decades.

I have had the honor of representing many remarkable public servants, but few have combined humility, resolve, and compassion the way Sheriff Bowens did. His story is the American story--a son of Terrell County who worked hard, raised a devoted family, held fast to faith, and answered the call to protect his neighbors. After graduating from Carver High School in 1965, Sheriff Bowens rolled up his sleeves and worked wherever his community needed him: as a bus driver, ensuring children arrived at school safe and ready to learn; as a mechanic at Dawson Motor Company, tending to the machines that helped his neighbors make a living; and later in the ranks of public safety--with the Dawson Fire Department, the Dawson and Dougherty County police departments, and ultimately the Terrell County Sheriffs Department. Each step in his career was a step closer to a life of service, each job a small promise kept to his fellow citizens.

In 1992, the people of Terrell County placed their trust in John Bowens and elected him, Sheriff. That trust was repaid every day, for 32 years. He served longer than any sheriff in the county's history and became the longest-serving African American sheriff elected in the State of Georgia. But these distinctions tell only part of the story. What mattered most to those who knew him was not the record on a plaque, but the quiet, constant ways he showed up: walking neighborhoods, listening to concerns with patience, mentoring young people who might otherwise have lost their way, and standing at the bedside of a grieving family or the side of a frightened child until calm returned.

Sheriff Bowens' leadership flowed from a bedrock of faith. Introduced to Christ early, he first joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Herod and later made Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Dawson his spiritual home. For more than thirty years, he served as a Deacon and as Chairman of the Deacon Board--roles he carried not as honors but as responsibilities. In the church he found purpose; in the Lord he found the guiding light that shaped his decisions, his care for others, and the moral courage that marked his long career.

His life was also defined by a love that endured: in 1966 he married Janice Williams Bowens, his partner, confidante, and anchor. Together they raised four children--Darrell, Brenda, Marcus, and Pamela--and built a family that mirrored the values they lived: faith, perseverance, and tenderness. John took pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he celebrated their milestones as if they were his own, and they drew strength from his example. Family, for Sheriff Bowens, was not a private matter--it was the wellspring of his public service, the place where he learned to care for others before caring for self.

Sheriff Bowens was a man of convictions. He was outspoken when injustice threatened the vulnerable, and he was steady when storms-- literal and figurative--tested Terrell County. People could depend upon him. When difficult choices had to be made, neighbors sought his counsel because they knew his word was his bond. He earned the respect of fellow law enforcement officers across counties, and he carried himself with a dignity that reflected both his personal faith and his commitment to the rule of law.

Those who served beside him remember a leader who mentored rather than commanded, who cultivated loyalty not by fear but by example. He was a Mason at St. Mark Lodge 59 and a friend to many. He celebrated community life and helped weave the social fabric of Dawson and Terrell County so that when tragedy came, people had one another to lean on.

On a personal note, Sheriff Bowens was my friend. We established a bond as we were both elected in 1992. He never told me what I wanted to hear, but he always told me what he felt I needed to hear. I will be forever grateful for his fidelity and his friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life and legacy of Sheriff John Bowens. Moreover, we extend our deepest sympathies to Sheriff Bowens' family, friends, loved ones and all those who grieve during this difficult time of bereavement. We pray that they will all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

May the life of Sheriff John Bowens be a beacon to those who follow: a call to serve without expectation of fame, to lead with humility, and to love without reservation. May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Mrs. Ann Caggins on the occasion of her 80th birthday and to include in the Record a tribute to a life of faith, family, and extraordinary service to community and country. A celebration to mark this singular occasion will be held on January 31, 2026, at the Page-Doleman Complex in Columbus, Georgia.

Ann Caggins's life is a testament to the values that strengthen families and communities across our Nation. Mrs. Caggins learned early that people, not places, create the memories and relationships that shape us. That insight guided a lifetime devoted to building community, developing young leaders, and serving others with humility and steadfast faith.

Mrs. Caggins is a graduate of the George Washington Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia. She is also a graduate of Pepperdine University with one of the Nation's early degrees in Human Resources Management, Mrs. Caggins built a distinguished career as a human resources professional. She served as Corporate Human Resources Officer for the Eastern Operations Headquarters of the American National Red Cross--overseeing a vast jurisdiction that included twenty states, key resource chapters, military installations, and the Caribbean--and she was named National Staffing Officer during the demanding Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm mobilization. Her public service also included leadership as Human Resources Director for municipal government and as President and Chair of the Board of her local Society for Human Resource Management chapter. In addition to her professional achievements, Mrs. Caggins holds two professional HR certifications and serves as an instructor for certification testing, passing on knowledge to the next generation of leaders.

Equally notable is Mrs. Caggins's tireless volunteer leadership with Jack and Jill of America, Inc., where she devoted countless hours to developing young people and strengthening families. Over many years, she served as Chapter Program Chair, Teen Advisor (two terms), Vice President, Chapter President (two terms), Regional Teen Conference Chair, National Teen Task Force Chair, and National Tellers Committee Chair. She was honored as a Distinguished Mother and recognized for her role in fostering servant leadership in the Eastern Region. Under her guidance and in partnership with leaders like National President Nellie Thornton, the Eastern Region cultivated confident, service-minded youth--leaders such as John Applewhite, Lisa Bryant, Joseph Hurd, and Jennifer (Williams) West among many others.

Mrs. Caggins has been a champion of education and scholarships. She and her husband, Colonel (Ret.) Myles B. Caggins, Jr., have long supported the UNCF Columbus Campaign, raising record-breaking funds and serving as Co-Chairs; their philanthropic leadership garnered them MASKED (Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams) recognition and helped provide scholarships to first-generation college students and high school seniors.

Her community honors are numerous and well-earned: recipient of the Rosa Parks Women of Courage Award (2017), Gracious Lady of Georgia, Heads and Shoulders Above the Rest honoree, 50th Year Jack and Jill Northern Virginia Chapter Presidents honoree, and George Washington Carver High Honors Program speaker, The Whitney M. Young National Service Award Presented by the Chattahoochee Council of Boy Scouts of America, and the Legacy of Leadership Award from the Black History Observance Committee. She has served as Ledger-Enquirer Page One judge, held leadership roles in homeowners' associations, and has been praised as a mentor, professional, and servant-leader. She also serves as Chair Emerita of the Black History Observance Breakfast Committee.

Mrs. Caggins's life is grounded in faith and family. She and Colonel (Ret.) Myles B. Caggins, Jr., met while she was a student at Spelman College; they married a year after becoming engaged and have been married for almost six decades. They are members of The Church of Christ, where Mrs. Caggins continues to teach ladies' Bible class and live by five guiding commitments: to God, family and team, task, service, and personal development. Her devotion to family is reflected in her children--Angela M. (Caggins) Trammel (Ernest) and LTC (P) Myles B. Caggins, III--and grandchildren Eric M. Trammel and Ariana M. Trammel, who continue the legacy of service and leadership she helped cultivate.

Those who know Mrs. Caggins describe her as a woman of deep faith who ``goes where God leads,'' a gracious leader whose work has enriched countless lives. Whether balancing the demands of a prominent HR career during wartime mobilization or spending late nights planning programs and mentoring teens, she has always centered service to others. She reminds us that community service is the hallmark of servant leadership and that a mother's involvement in her children's lives yields confident young people prepared to serve.

Mr. Speaker, on this milestone birthday, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District as we give thanks for Ann Caggins's life, for the countless hours she has given to young people and her community, and for the example of commitment, faith, and quiet leadership she embodies. We join her family, friends, and community in celebrating her 80th birthday and in offering gratitude for her many contributions. May God bless Mrs. Ann Caggins with continued health, joy, and the comfort of loved ones as she continues to bloom where she is planted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound sorrow and deep thanksgiving to honor the life and legacy of Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a faithful servant of God, an apostolic visionary, a devoted husband and father, and a tireless advocate for justice, healing, and transformation. His transition from labor to reward marks the close of a life lived in humble service and bold leadership, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to come. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at The Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany, Georgia.

Bishop Williams was born in Dougherty County, Albany, Georgia, to the late Roosevelt Williams and Evangelist Katie Mae Anderson. The youngest of seven children--Johnny Bell, Patricia, Gloria Jean, Roosevelt, Jr., Larry, and Barbara--he was reared in a home firmly rooted in faith, discipline, and service. Those foundational values shaped a life that bore fruit in ministry, civic engagement, and community building.

At an early age, Bishop Williams accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor R.B. Smith. Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend George Daniels, he exercised his gifts faithfully--serving as church clerk, armor-bearer, organizer of the first Pastor's Aide Board, leader in the music ministry, and deacon board member--early signs of a servant's heart and a shepherd's calling. He

formed The Voices of Tabernacle and served as minister of music for churches across southwest Georgia, gathering and guiding people in worship.

In 1991 Bishop Williams answered a divine call to preach the gospel. He pursued nonprofit and leadership training at Clark Atlanta University and, in 1992, launched Gethsemane Worship Center International in Albany from a small building on Baldwin Street leased by then-Mayor Paul Keenan. With only nine members, that congregation grew into a thriving interdenominational ministry impacting lives locally and globally. He also served as Pastor of New Zion Hill Baptist Church and later organized Divine Covenant International Fellowship, providing apostolic covering and mentoring more than 100 ministers, preachers, and leaders--many in Liberia--under his apostolic anointing.

Bishop Williams was united in holy matrimony on May 7, 1988, to Felicia Jones, and together they raised a loving family: Victoria, Vanessa, Frederick, Jr., Fredesha, Lawanna, Natasha, and Nazarelle-- children who were a constant source of joy and pride.

A lifelong learner, Bishop Williams was a proud graduate of Dougherty Comprehensive High School (Class of 1980) and Albany Technical College. His studies continued at Georgetown College, Regents Park College at the University of Oxford, The Interdenominational Theological Center of Morehouse College, and culminated with a Doctorate in Theology from North Carolina University Wilmington, where he was recognized as a distinguished member of the President's Club.

Before full-time ministry, Bishop Williams worked at McGregor Golf for eleven years and later served the community as a bus driver for the Dougherty County School System and as a dispatcher with the Albany- Dougherty 911 Communication Center. An entrepreneur, he owned The Gentlemen Shop, G & W His & Hers Accessories, and the Albany Christian Book & Gift Store.

His ministry and mission were global in scope--Bishop Williams traveled extensively to Haiti, Africa, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Belize, Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, and beyond, and he established two ministries in Liberia. He served as Bishop Ordinary for the Diocese of St. James the Just in Florida, was consecrated to the office of the bishopric in 2016, served as State Bishop of Georgia, and in 2025 joined Lifted Reformation as State Bishop of Georgia.

Bishop Williams' public service and civic leadership were exemplary. He founded and led Stop the Violence initiatives, co-chaired Albany- Dougherty Community-Oriented Policing, served on the Easter Seals Southern District Board, and led civic and ministerial coalitions that bridged faith, law enforcement, education, and the legal community in pursuit of collective healing and progress. At the time of his passing, he faithfully served as Chairman of the Board of the Albany-Dougherty County Board of Elections.

His life of service earned numerous honors: the NAACP Religious Award; Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award presented by then-Secretary of State Cathy Cox; Excellence in Community Award from the NAACP; the Trailblazer Award from 100 Black Men of Albany; Citizen of the Year from Omega Psi Phi--Eta Omicron Chapter; the Liberty Bell Award from the Dougherty County Bar Association; a Certificate of Special Congressional Record from yours truly for his leadership in Stop the Violence initiatives; eight Mayoral Proclamations; Albany's STRIDE Award; and many additional commendations recognizing his humanitarian and civic contributions.

Bishop Williams was also an author and creative minister--writing Order in the House and The Church Under Siege, producing the gospel recording Zion Is Calling, and hosting the podcast Plug In With Bishop--platforms through which he taught, encouraged, and lifted up his community during seasons of trial and renewal.

In 2009, following the tragic loss of his sister, Bishop Williams convened leaders at Albany State University and asked, ``What can we do?'' Out of that conversation grew a sustained, collaborative response to violence and community pain--an enduring testament to his capacity to turn grief into constructive action.

Mr. Speaker, Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr., was a man who married conviction with compassion, preaching comfort while organizing for justice. He answered calls to both prayer and practice, building institutions, mentoring leaders, and offering pastoral care to countless families. He bore witness to a faith that moved beyond sanctuary walls into streets, schools, and global mission fields.

I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams, Sr.--a pastor, a prophet, a builder, and a beloved servant whose life of faith, intellect, and action made our communities stronger and kinder. We mourn his passing, we celebrate his harvest, and we pledge to carry forward his work of healing, justice, and spiritual formation.

May his memory be for a blessing. May his family find comfort in the countless lives he touched. And may his legacy continue to light the way for leaders who follow in the Holy work of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy but grateful heart to honor the life of Mr. Adrian Earl Jenkins, Sr.--a gentle giant of faith, family, and fearless service, whose quiet strength lifted a community for more than 9 decades. A funeral service celebrating his remarkable life was held on January 29, 2026, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.

Adrian Earl Jenkins, Sr. was born May 7, 1928, in LaGrange, Georgia, to Julia Byrd and was primarily raised by his aunt and uncle, William and Jesse Pattilo. His hands told his story: strong from teaching generations of students, callused from building a home and other community structures with his own labor and tender from holding grandchildren and comforting neighbors in times of need. Grounded in faith, he lived out many callings--student, soldier, husband, father, teacher, farmer, deacon, activist, and friend--with humility and devotion.

After graduating from East Depot High School in LaGrange, he enrolled at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, but his studies were interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Jenkins returned from the War, determined to finish his education, which he did at Albany State College. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education and dedicated his life to teaching. For more than 34 years he shaped minds and modeled dignity, discipline, and love in the Thomas County and Dougherty County School Systems. His students remember lessons far beyond academics on how to live with honor and purpose.

In 1958 he and Mary Frances Royal joined hearts in marriage, a steadfast partnership of 56 years. Family was his pride--his son Adrian Jenkins, Jr., his late daughter Sharon Jenkins Hicks, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will carry his laughter, his stories, and his legacy forward.

For over 60 years Mr. Jenkins served Mount Zion Baptist Church as a deacon, offering his time, prayer, wisdom and treasure. As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for 70 years, he embodied the fraternity's ideals of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind and was honored by the Gamma Omicron Lambda Chapter as ``Brother of the Year.'' He helped build and sustain institutions that mattered, including the Albany Civil Rights Museum as a founding board member, overseer of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority house in Albany and numerous other community meeting places. He labored untiringly without seeking the spotlight.

Mr. Jenkins was also a quiet but steady force in the struggle for civil rights, supporting carpools during the bus boycott, aiding desegregation of the lunchroom at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and practicing ordinary acts of courage that yielded extraordinary change.

He loved the land--raising chickens and hogs and living the words of Psalm 128:2, eating the fruit of his labor, and blessing those at his table. Though accomplished, he sought no title. He simply wanted to make a difference,

following the example of Jesus by choosing understanding over intolerance, love over hate, benevolence over selfishness, and humility over arrogance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life and legacy of Adrian Earl Jenkins, Sr. Our city, our Nation and the world are better because he walkdd among us. We mourn his loss but celebrate a life whose enduring legacy is written in the lives he touched: teachers inspired to teach, children who learned they mattered, neighbors who found courage, and a family that will carry his love forward.

May his memory be a blessing. May his soul rest in peace, and may his example continue to inspire lives of service, faith, and love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride and profound appreciation to honor a remarkable woman on the momentous occasion of her 90th birthday--Mrs. Barbara Anne Dorsey. Mrs. Dorsey is more than a friend; she is the embodiment of love, community service, and dedication to nurturing the future. An event to honor her birthday will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia at the Green Island Country Club.

Mrs. Dorsey was born on January 10, 1936, in Hawkinsville, Georgia, and spent her formative years in Winter Haven, Florida before moving to Columbus, Georgia. It was here, surrounded by family and the nurturing spirit of her community, that her passion for music and education first took root. Growing up, she became an active member of Fourth Street Baptist Church and a musician at Shady Grove Baptist Church, where she discovered her love for serving others and sharing her musical gifts. From her earliest days, Mrs. Dorsey carried a melody in her heart, playing the clarinet and captivating those around her with the joy of music.

After completing her education at Spencer High School, Mrs. Dorsey attended Fort Valley State College, where she not only honed her teaching skills but also began to shape her future as an educator and community leader. She became a devoted mother, embracing the roles that define family--one that has grown cherished, with each name she earned--Barbr'anne, Bootsie, Aunt Barbara, Mama Barbara, Grandma and Gigi. Each moniker captures not just her identity but the love and bonds she has cultivated through the years.

In the span of her impressive career, Mrs. Dorsey made her mark at Manly Taylor Elementary School, where she embarked on a journey that would touch the lives of countless young minds. Her devotion extended beyond the classroom, as she served with passion in the Project Head Start summer program. Mrs. Dorsey understood that early education lays the foundation for a lifetime of growth and success. Through her nurturing spirit, she empowered her students, instilled hope, and ignited the flames of curiosity.

I am reminded of the inspiring words of Mary McLeod Bethune, who said, ``The true measure of the success of any society can be determined by the contributions of its women.'' Mrs. Dorsey's life resonates with this idea; her unwavering commitment to education, service, and community upliftment has forged a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.

Mrs. Dorsey's life has not been confined to one place or role. With an indomitable spirit, she embraced many responsibilities within her

faith community, serving as a youth director, choir director, pianist, and Girl Scout leader. Her unwavering commitment shone brightly as she transformed lives--not just by imparting knowledge but by nurturing faith and confidence among young souls. She led the Columbus College Baptist Student Union choir, instilling leadership and cultivating spiritual growth that reverberated through her community.

As a schoolteacher, she shaped young minds at Brown Avenue Elementary, Bibb Elementary, and St. Mary's Road Elementary. Her outstanding commitment led to her recognition as Teacher of the Year at St. Mary's Road Elementary--a celebration of her dedication, creativity, and tireless efforts in advancing education. With each lesson, Barbara fulfilled a critical role in shaping not just knowledge, but also character, integrity, and self-worth among her students.

Even in retirement, Mrs. Dorsey's passion for teaching and music did not fade. After retiring from St. Mary's Road Elementary in 1998, she enriched young lives through private piano lessons, igniting their imaginations and fostering a love for music. Sharing her talents at Girls Inc. and the historic Liberty Theater, she found joy in bringing smiles and laughter through the power of song.

Mrs. Dorsey's steps have truly been ordered by God. In her later years, she became a member of the South Columbus United Methodist Church where she continues to share her love of God and people.

Mrs. Dorsey has accomplished great things in her life but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God, her children: Gayle Daniels, Faye Boyer, Veleta Pasley, Belva Dorsey-Mott, Nicol Lewis, and Joni Dorsey, her nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

On a personal note, Mrs. Dorsey and her family have been friends and supporters for many years. She has been a beacon of hope in my life, oftentimes providing meals for me that nourished not only my body but my spirit. I will be forever grateful for her and her family's fidelity and friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Mrs. Barbara Ann Dorsey on her 90th birthday. Mrs. Barbara Anne Dorsey is not just a woman celebrating a milestone; she is a treasure within our hearts and our community. As we gather to honor her 90th birthday, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for her friendship, her unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds, and the profound love she has shared with everyone who has had the privilege to know her.

I wish a happy 90th Birthday to Mrs. Dorsey. May her life continue to inspire those around her, illuminating paths with her love and wisdom, and may her legacy of kindness and service endure for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate a trailblazer, dedicated public servant, and lifelong resident of Southwest Georgia, Ms. Mary Ann Grant Petty, as she retires after over 53 years with the City of Albany's Administrative Services Department. A ``Legacy Celebration'' will be held on December 19, 2025, at the Albany Civic Center to honor her over five decades of service.

Ms. Petty was born in Dougherty County to the union of T.W. and Annie Mae Grant on September 1, 1953. The second of seven siblings, she graduated from Monroe High School in June 1971 and thereafter graduated from Albany Technical College with a degree in Business Administration.

On May 29, 1972, as a result of a Federal Civil Rights Court Injunction for the City of Albany to desegregate its downtown offices, Ms. Petty was hired as a Customer Service Records Clerk with the City of Albany's Water, Gas & Light Commission, and was the only black employee in the front office for many months, during which she endured countless acts of discrimination from management, co-workers, and city residents. Ms. Petty, however, remained steadfast and resilient in the face of adversity; she remained at her post, upheld the highest levels of professionalism, and was promoted to the position of Customer Service Supervisor, for the Water, Gas & Light Commission, in 1977, and then to the position of Administrative Services Director, in 1997. While she may have been the first black woman to hold these roles, she blazed a new trail ahead for many others to follow in her footsteps.

Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said that ``service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this Earth.'' Ms. Mary Ann Grant Petty has paid her rent and paid it well. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly in the aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and other community disasters, to provide the city and its residents with continued service and support. She is a long-time member of First Monumental Faith Ministries Church and has served on various governmental committees, organizations, and forums, earning numerous awards, certificates, and vast forms of recognition.

Ms. Petty has accomplished so much during her life, but none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of her late husband, Hillard Key Petty; two children, Hillary Keyanna Petty-Jackson, and Heather Keyronica Petty; and a host of extended family and beloved friends.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the over 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in honoring and commending Ms. Mary Ann Grant Petty for over 53 years of dedicated service to her city and her community. We send her and her loved ones best wishes as she retires and begins the next chapter in her life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished jurist, public servant, and Navy veteran as he retires after over two decades serving as a Juvenile Court Judge in Dougherty County, Georgia. A community event to celebrate his retirement will be held on December 30, 2025, in Dougherty County.

Originally from Milledgeville, Georgia, Judge Solomon is a graduate of J.F. Boddie High School, and he received his Bachelor of Science in History from Tuskegee University with honors in 1972. He was awarded a Juris Doctor from The National Law Center, George Washington University, in 1975, before earning the Master Advocate from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Emory University, College of Law.

After law school Judge Solomon served in the United States Navy as a Judge Advocate General at NLSO San Diego, California from 1976 to 1980, as defense and prosecuting attorney in over 300 Special and General Court Martials. He continued his military service in the Naval Reserve until the year 2000 when he retired with the rank of Commander.

Judge Solomon is an attorney who has fulfilled many legal roles in service to others. From 1980 to 1994 he served as Senior Staff Attorney with the Georgia Legal Services Program, a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal help for low-income people and seniors. In this role he was able to practice law throughout Southwest Georgia and help countless families in need. He also taught Military Justice NROTC at Morehouse College, has served on the State Supreme Court Committee for Justice for Children, has been a lecturer on legal trial advocacy, and has argued several cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals. In December 1999, he was appointed as the Juvenile Court Judge of Dougherty County and was appointed as Dougherty County's first full- time Juvenile Court Judge in July 2005, where he currently serves today.

Judge Solomon is a member of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church where he serves as a trustee. He is a member of the National Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Naval Officers Association, and past president of The Criterion Club of Albany, Georgia, charter president of Albany Midtown Optimist Club, and past board member at the YMCA. He previously coached youth basketball at the local YMCA, helping his teams capture three state championships.

Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said that ``service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this Earth.'' Judge Herbie L. Solomon has paid his rent and paid it well. Whether he was serving our country in the U.S. Navy, providing free legal services to Georgia families, or teaching in the classroom, or presiding at the bench, Judge Solomon has consistently served others and worked to uplift humankind.

Judge Solomon has accomplished so much throughout his life, but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his late wife, Jean Wright Solomon, and his two children, Tamara and Herbie Solomon, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the over 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in congratulating Judge Herbie L. Solomon on his retirement after 20 years of service to the Juvenile Court of Dougherty County. We send him all the best as he begins an exciting next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Sara Clementine James Benson of Albany, Georgia, who passed from labor to reward on November 27, 2025. A devoted educator, community leader, and stalwart of faith, Mrs. Benson dedicated her life to the service of others and to the betterment of southwest Georgia. A service to celebrate her remarkable life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.

Born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, in Albany, Mrs. Benson--known to family and friends as Clem or Clemmie--was the daughter of the late Owen F. James, Sr., and Mary Harrell James. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1959 and, with the support of a full scholarship from the Las Amigas Civic and Social Club, earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Albany State College in 1963. She went on to receive a Master of Business Education in 1969.

For more than three decades Mrs. Benson shaped young minds and strengthened academic institutions. Mrs. Benson understood that ``Education is the passport to the future, it belongs to those who prepare for it today.'' She served Albany State University with distinction--first as secretary for the Hazard Laboratory School and later as a valued member of the Business Education faculty. Upon her retirement in 1993, she was honored with the title Assistant Professor Emeritus of the School of Business. She continued to share her knowledge as an adjunct instructor at Albany Technical College.

A committed sorority sister and civic volunteer. Mrs. Benson was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Sigma Chapter in 1962 and later served in Delta Eta Omega Chapter in numerous leadership roles. She was a Golden Soror with more than fifty years of service. Someone once said that, ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Benson paid her rent and she paid it well. Her civic involvement extended to Las Amigas Civic and Social Club, the Albany State University National Alumni Association, the Southwest Georgia Association for Convalescent and Aging Persons, and many other local organizations. She was very giving and never shy about asking others to give to the causes that she cared deeply about. She was very persuasive and would not take ``no'' for an answer.

Mrs. Benson's faith and service were deeply rooted in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she

provided leadership in New Members Orientation, the General Missionary Ministry, the Floral Club, Benevolence Ministry, and the Prison Ministry. A lifelong learner and warm companion, she enjoyed reading, bowling, playing the piano, and card games--always guided by the philosophy to ``lift as you climb.'' The great agricultural chemist George Washington Carver once said that ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong, because someday in life you will have been all of these.'' Mrs. Benson went far in life because she treated all people with dignity and respect and always reached her hand back to help others.

Mrs. Benson leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Winfred Benson, Sr.; her daughter, Thedjuana (Jerry) Nicholson; a sister, Juanita James; three granddaughters, four great-granddaughters, a great-great- grandson; and a wide circle of family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors who will cherish her memory.

Mr. Speaker, Sara Benson's devoted work as an educator, mentor, and community servant made a lasting difference in Albany and beyond. I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring the life and legacy of Sara Clementine James Benson.

I join her family and the people of southwest Georgia in mourning her passing and in celebrating a life lived in service to others. May her example continue to inspire our communities to educate, uplift, and care for one another. We pray that all who knew and loved her will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the weeks, months, and years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Al Hutchins of Blakely, Georgia, who is retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service on the Blakely City Council. An event to celebrate his extraordinary career in public service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Al Hutchins Community Center in Blakely, Georgia.

Councilman Hutchins has devoted 25 years and 4 months to public service in our region, including more than two decades representing his community through the City of Blakely and as a representative with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission. Throughout his long career he has been a steady and principled leader, working to strengthen local government, improve services for residents, and support community development across southwest Georgia.

His commitment to service has earned him numerous honors, including the Unsung Hero Award, Certificates of Congressional Recognition, multiple recognitions from the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission for long service and perfect attendance, a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Blakely for 20 years of service, awards from the Georgia Municipal Association for achievement and distinction, a resolution from Representative Gerald Greene and the Georgia House of Representatives, and recognition from the U.S. Census Bureau for community partnership and engagement--among many other certificates of appreciation from local organizations. These awards reflect the respect he has earned from colleagues, civic partners, and constituents. It has been said that the ``True person of success is not the person that climbs the ladder of this life with two hands but climbs the ladder of this life with one hand and reaches back with the other.'' Throughout his career in public service, Councilman Hutchins has always reached back to help others to reach their full potential.

Beyond his public work, Al Hutchins is a devoted family man and active member of his faith community. He and his wife, Alice Hutchins, are parents to Machelle (Joyce) Hutchins, Allison (Andrea) Harrison, and Tre Hutchins, and proud grandparents of TiGeronika Lindsey, Bryson Hutchins, and Jru Harrison. He is a member of Empowerment Temple under the leadership of Apostle Turkeisa Rushin.

On a personal note, Councilman Hutchins and his wife, Alice have become trusted friends and confidantes. They have supported me as their congressman and for their support, I will be forever grateful. One of the things that I appreciate most about Councilman Hutchins is the fact that he has wonderful sense of humor and the fact that you can almost count on him to tell a ``good joke.''

As Councilman Hutchins begins his well-earned retirement, Vivian and I join his family, friends, and the people of Blakely in thanking him for his tireless service and leadership. His steady stewardship and commitment to the common good, have left a lasting and positive mark on his community. On behalf of the more than 765,000 people of the 2nd Congressional District and my colleagues, I once again thank him for his service and wish him, Alice, and their family every blessing in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Albany Southwest Georgian on its 87th year of continuous publication and dedicated service to the people of Southwest Georgia. An event to celebrate this singular milestone will be held on December 5, 2025, at Albany Technical College in Albany, Georgia. The Keynote Speaker for this event will be the publisher of the Westside Gazette, Mr. Bobby Henry. The theme for this event is ``Old enough to know, but young enough to grow.''

Founded on August 8, 1938, by Virgil Hodges and A.C. Searles, The Albany Southwest Georgian has long served as a vital voice for the African American community in Albany and the surrounding region. For nearly nine decades the paper has reported with integrity and independence, chronicling local life, preserving community memory, and advocating for civic engagement and public service.

Throughout its storied history, The Albany Southwest Georgian has been led by committed stewards who sustained its mission across generations. Under the leadership of the late Commissioner Arthur Searles and later Giselle Searles, the newspaper navigated social, cultural, and political changes while remaining rooted in accuracy and community uplift. In May 2019, stewardship of this proud institution passed to former State Representative Winfred Dukes and his mother, Mrs. Willie Beatrice Dukes, who continue to preserve its legacy and ensure its service to future generations.

The Albany Southwest Georgian played a vital role during the Albany Civil Rights Movement, documenting mass meetings, demonstrations, and the tireless grassroots organizing that helped shape the national struggle for justice and equality. In times of crisis, such as the catastrophic floods of 1994 and 1998, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the newspaper served as a trusted source of information and a stabilizing presence for local families and civic leaders. Our former colleague, Civil Rights Icon John Lewis once said that ``We need the press now more than ever before to be a headlight and not a taillight.'' The Albany Southwest Georgian has and will continue to be a headlight that will shine a light on truth, justice and equality for all of God's children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian in congratulating The Albany Southwest Georgian on 87 years of distinguished service to Southwest Georgia. We commend its record of faithful journalism, community advocacy, and historical preservation.

May The Albany Southwest Georgian continue to inform, inspire, and strengthen the communities it serves for many years to come.