[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO GIFFORD CARL RAMSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the late Gifford Carl Ramsey, a fellow trooper and colleague in the 
Florida Highway Patrol. He died on January 10, 2007--a victim of 
cancer--and will be buried this Saturday, January 20, 2007, at Glendale 
Baptist Church in Miami-Dade County's Richmond Heights community.
  Born on January 16, 1959, to Gifford and Agatha Ramsey, he was 
affectionately called ``Spanky'' by those of his closest friends and 
teammates, who played on the football team at Florida A&M University. 
Awarded a full athletic scholarship, he led the Rattlers on the 
gridiron by winning two consecutive national football titles in 1977 
and 1978, and was honored as Division I-AA and Black College All-
American.
  Ever since I have known Trooper Ramsey as a member of the Florida 
Highway Patrol's 66th Recruit Class of 1982, he eminently served above 
and beyond the call of duty until his promotion to Sergeant in July 
2006. He also volunteered as chaplain of the National Black State 
Trooper's Coalition and became the vice president of the Florida 
Coalition of Black State Troopers.
  Responding to an inner calling of consecrating his life to the 
service of God, he affirmed his vocation by accepting Jesus Christ as 
his personal Savior in 1988 and joined the congregation of Glendale 
Missionary Baptist Church under the tutelage of the late Reverend 
Joseph Coats, Sr. On January 20, 1993, he met his future wife, Lisa 
Smith of Philadelphia, PA, and married her a year later on July 9, 
1994. Two children, Jarrett and Jayla, were born out of this happy 
union. Thereupon, he and his wife became partners in God's Vineyard, 
and in 2001, Trooper Gifford ``Spanky'' Ramsey was ordained a Deacon of 
Glendale Baptist Church.
  Blessed with an unenviable commonsense approach to life, he was also 
imbued with the rare wisdom of recognizing the strengths and 
limitations of the members of his congregation and those he served. 
Trooper Ramsey went about the duties of his profession, and he also 
became a missionary at home and abroad, serving a short-term tenure in 
Cape Town, South Africa.
  Trooper and Deacon Ramsey was my good friend, and I am deeply 
saddened by his passing. He was my mentor ever since I became a trooper 
in the Florida Highway Patrol in 1989. Indeed, he will be an indelible 
reminder of the noble commitment of public service, and the awesome 
power of his religious vocation to minister to the youth under the 
aegis of programs such as the Juvenile Justice Center Read Aloud 
Program, the Governor's Mentoring Initiative, Special Olympics 
Fundraising Events, Child Passenger Safety Details in both Miami-Dade 
and Monroe Counties. His faith was deep and genuine, and his love for 
Glendale Baptist Church defined his dynamic friendship and 
understanding. No one who knew Trooper ``Spanky''--and being struck by 
his sunny disposition and optimism--went away not acknowledging the 
presence of a caring community leader.
  Like the God he faithfully served during the remaining years of his 
life, this trooper and gentleman came and lived among us that we may 
have life and have hope more abundantly. True to his faith, Reverend 
Ramsey would urge us to believe that his death does not represent an 
irrevocable finality, and he would assure us that he will live on in 
the good deeds he left behind. Indeed, no life could be more revered 
for having fulfilled his vocation as God's faithful steward. I will 
cherish the wonderful memories I have of his magnificent friendship.

                          ____________________