[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      IN RECOGNITION OF IRA LOMIS FLOWERS OF THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to extend my 
personal congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Ira Lomis Flowers, a 
beloved citizen of Thomasville, Georgia, who will be honored at the 
23rd Annual Black and White Scholarship Ball hosted by the Thomasville, 
Georgia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.
  The upcoming Black and White Scholarship Ball will take place on 
Friday, June 1, 2012 at 1200 West Jackson Street in Thomasville. During 
the event, Mr. Flowers will be presented with the Joseph R. Jenkins 
Award, the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of Kappa 
Alpha Psi, Inc.'s Southeastern Province.
  A native of Thomasville, Mr. Flowers is a graduate of Thomasville 
High School. Following high school, he went on to complete his 
undergraduate studies at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mr. 
Flowers also has his Certification in Secondary Education in English 
and Reading from Valdosta State University.
  Mr. Flowers spent most of his professional life working as an 
educator and serving as a positive role model and influential mentor to 
children in Middle and Southwest Georgia. Throughout his dynamic and 
distinguished career he served as the Director of the Francis F. Weston 
YMCA in Thomasville; CEO & General Director of the A.J. McClung YMCA in 
Columbus, Georgia; Executive Director of the Thomasville Community 
Resource Center; and Senior YMCA Director for the USA YMCA Institute.
  Despite the multiple and pressing demands associated with his 
professional career, Mr. Flowers always has and continues to play an 
integral role in several social, civic and community service oriented 
organizations in Georgia. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and 
has held memberships in the S.P. Masonic Lodge #118 and the Jones 
Masonic Lodge #118.
  Mr. Flowers has achieved numerous successes in his life, but none of 
this would have been possible without the grace of God and the love 
imparted upon him by his late wife, Thedora Belinda Flowers, and his 
wonderful daughter Hope Allen Ellis-Flowers. He is also the proud 
grandfather of his adorable grandchildren Brianna and Christen.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Ira Lomis Flowers, an 
outstanding individual who has tirelessly devoted himself to 
progressively developing the academic and social skill sets of youth 
throughout the State of Georgia.
  On a personal note, my wife, Vivian, and I would like to applaud Mr. 
Flowers and his family for his distinguished record of service on 
behalf of our Nation's children and his outstanding legacy of service 
to the communities of Middle and Southwest Georgia.

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