[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO GARLAND THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
Georgian and an outstanding American citizen. I am proud to recognize 
Mr. Garland Thompson in the United States Congress for his invaluable 
contributions to his community, his state and his nation.
  Mr. Garland Thompson was born on June 5, 1928 in Soperton, GA. His 
dad operated as a one-horse share cropper until he could save enough 
money to buy a small farm. Garland grew up on the farm planting row 
crops.
  Garland showed signs of the talent, determination and achievement 
that have been the hallmarks of his career at an early age, when he 
graduated from Soperton High School. He then attended Abraham Baldwin 
Agricultural College, and then University of Georgia where he earned 
his Bachelors degree. He then attended the University of Georgia School 
of Banking as well as the L.S.U School of Banking.
  He met his wife, Anita, in Macon and they married in June, 1943. They 
have four children; Kirby, Andy, Beth and Tim and five grandchildren; 
Betsy, Macie, Kip, Katie and Trent.
  Mr. Garland Thompson was employed with the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture for 12 years in Wilkinson County, before serving 37 years 
in banking between C&S Bank in Dublin, GA, and Sun Trust Bank in 
Douglas, GA.
  Mr. Thompson has served on the Douglas-Coffee County Industrial 
Authority board for the past 21 years. He has also served as Interim 
President and Director for the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of 
Commerce. Thirty years ago Coffee County was 90% dependent on their 
agriculture base. Today, they have a widely diversified economy that 
boasts about $200 million in the industrial base and $200 million in 
the agriculture base. As Garland says, ``it's about 50/50 now and we 
are extremely blessed''.
  Garland has retired but still serves on the Georgia State Soil & 
Water Commission, SubBelt Exposition, ABAC Alumni Board of Directors, 
and has served on the Vo-Ag Advisory Committee, Georgia Extension 
Advisory Commission, and the G.T.E. Advisory Board. He is also a 
consultant on the U.S. 441 Economic Development Council.
  It is my distinguished pleasure today to honor Mr. Garland Thompson 
for his service and dedication to Coffee County and its citizens. He 
remains an inspiration to us all.

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