[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MRS. HELEN MYERS LONG CORDELL

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and honor to 
extend my sincerest congratulations to Mrs. Helen Myers Long Cordell, a 
beloved citizen of Albany, Georgia, who will be celebrating her 100th 
birthday on Sunday, March 18, 2012. On this special and momentous day, 
she will be honored by her family and friends at a celebration at 
Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany.
  Mrs. Cordell was born on March 18, 1912 in Chipley, Florida to Albert 
Addison Myers and Meddie Fryer Myers. She spent her early childhood in 
Chipley but after the sudden passing of her father, the family moved to 
Albany, Georgia in 1924 before then moving to Rome, Georgia.
  Mrs. Cordell is a graduate of Rome High School and she received a 
bachelor's degree in education from Shorter College.
  As an advocate for quality education for all of our Nation's 
children, Mrs. Cordell served as a teacher in Columbus, Georgia from 
1933 1944; at Albany High School in Albany, Georgia from 1946 1959; and 
at Albany Vocational School from 1959 1968. She was very dedicated to 
her role of properly instructing young people and helping them to reach 
their full potential.
  As a testimony to her endearing charisma and her devotion to her 
pupils, the students and faculty of Albany High School dedicated their 
annual yearbook, The Thronateeska, to her in 1955. She also actively 
participated in various educational associations and was a member of 
many community organizations including the Albany Garden Club and Gold 
Star Wives.
  During World War II, she married Master Sergeant Wayne C. Long on 
October 9, 1943. Sadly, Master Sergeant Long was killed while serving 
his country at the Battle of the Bulge on December 20, 1944.
  On October 19, 1968, she married Joel J. Cordell, the longtime 
Superintendent of Dougherty County Schools. They were happily married 
for many years before his passing in 1988.
  Always active in her church, Mrs. Cordell was a dedicated member of 
First Baptist Church in Albany for many years. Following her marriage 
to Mr. Cordell, she became a longtime member of Sherwood Baptist 
Church, where she sang in the choir and held a leadership role in the 
activities of the church.
  As fate would have it, I had the great pleasure of serving in the 
U.S. House of Representatives with Mrs. Cordell's nephew, former U.S. 
Congressman Earl Hutto, who dutifully represented Florida's 1st 
Congressional District from 1979 until his retirement in 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I ask that my colleagues join me in paying 
tribute to Mrs. Cordell, a beloved educator and inspiring figure, as 
she and her loved ones prepare to celebrate her 100th birthday. I 
commend her for her exceptional work of educating the generations of 
young people who have grown into teachers, entrepreneurs, and leaders 
and helped build a stronger foundation for Georgia and for our Nation.
  Happy Birthday Mrs. Cordell! May God continue to bless you and may 
you have many, many more years of peace and happiness.

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