[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2026-S2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARTHA BRYANT

 Mr. ISAKSON. Madam President, I wish to honor in the Record of 
the Senate Martha Bryant, a true leader and an excellent businesswoman, 
for her many years of service to her community.
  Martha has a long history of service to the communities she has 
called home. Born in Waycross, GA, the daughter of Arloa Gerald Morgan 
Wood and Joseph Cepheus Wood, she returned to her hometown after 
college to teach high school English for 3 years. Following that, she 
was certified as a professional YMCA director and served as program 
director for the State YMCA of Georgia from 1959 through 1962.
  The citizens of Rome, GA, were lucky that Martha came to their town 
to serve as the program director of the YMCA of Rome/Floyd County in 
1962. During her years in Rome, Martha served two terms on the board of 
the United Way as well as numerous terms on the Administrative Board of 
First Methodist Church, including as chair for 2 years. She also taught 
the Adult Sunday School class for 35 years, served 2 terms on the 
Alcohol Control Commission for the city of Rome, and was a part of the 
organizational committee that brought Georgia Highlands College to 
Rome.
  Despite her volunteer schedule, she also found time to begin a 
brandnew business in 1972, Bryant and Garrett

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Travel, which she nurtured to its current status as a thriving, 
respected company. While she has just sold the business and retired 
from full-time service in 2009, I know Romans will still think of her 
first when they start to plan their family vacations.
  Martha also is heavily involved with the Greater Rome Chamber of 
Commerce and has served in many leadership positions there over the 
years, including the chair of the Small Business Action Council. She is 
a graduate of Leadership Rome and became the first woman to serve as 
chair of the chamber in 1993. She continues to serve on the 
Governmental Affairs Committee and organizes the chamber's official 
visit to Washington, DC, each spring.
  I hope Martha knows just what her leadership has meant to the many 
organizations she has touched and that she is able to enjoy a little 
more time with her grandkids and her beloved dachshunds at 
home.

                          ____________________