[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 131 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNITION OF LOCUST GROVE MAYOR JERRY MICHAEL ELKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAC COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 1999

  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Jerry Michael 
Elkins for the contributions he has made to the small town of Locust 
Grove, Georgia, in Henry County. A lifelong resident of Locust Grove, 
he has served the city in an elected capacity since 1976, first elected 
to the city council in that year. He served in that position for seven 
years before he was elected mayor in 1983, he accepted a position as 
city manager in 1995 and served as both city manager and mayor up until 
this year. His performance led the town of Helen, from the northern 
part of the state, to offer him a job as their city manager. Mayor 
Elkins resigned as Locust Grove's city manager in August, and will step 
down as mayor on December 31, 1999, when his term expires.
  When he leaves for Helen, he leaves behind strong friendship, and 
many achievements. He served in the Georgia Army National Guard for 
five years, was a member of the board of directors for the Atlanta 
Regional Commission. He was past president of the Henry County 
Municipal Association, a member and president of the Locust Grove Lions 
club, and a master mason. He was a member of the board of directors for 
the United Way in Henry County, and a past chief of the Henry County 
Fire Department Station No. 2. In short, he was an extremely active 
member of the Locust Grove community.
  His leadership has won him awards, both from Locust Grove, and from 
the Georgia Municipal Association. One of the greatest honors was 
bestowed upon him in 1996, when Locust Grove's city council named the 
city pavilion in his honor.
  Too often our news dwells on trouble and troublemakers but not on 
positive people. Mayor Elkins' hard work on behalf of his fellow 
citizens in Locust Grove provides an example of true participatory 
democracy. Let us highlight those who contribute to our lives--people 
like Mayor Jerry Elkins.

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