[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1404-E1405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. JOE HECKSTALL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Georgia 
State Representative Joe Heckstall on the occasion of his retirement 
from the Georgia General Assembly. For thirty-one years, Joe has served 
the people of Georgia, first as a City Councilman for the City of East 
Point, Georgia and then as a State Representative from Georgia's 62nd 
House District. These many years of public

[[Page E1405]]

service make him the longest serving elected official in the history of 
South Fulton County, Georgia.
  Throughout his time in office, Joe has fought valiantly for those who 
face social and economic challenges, especially veterans and 
minorities, and he has strived to bring businesses and prosperity to 
the communities he represents. I know that he will be greatly missed by 
his constituents.
  I commend Joe for his courageous efforts to break racial barriers 
throughout his career. He was elected the first African American City 
Councilman of East Point, and as a Councilman, he helped the city 
become one of the first in America to celebrate the Martin Luther King, 
Jr. Holiday before it became a State or Federal holiday.
  Outside of government, Joe is an active member of the Greater Atlanta 
community, having worked as a real estate salesman, corporate personnel 
assistant, motivational speaker, school teacher, and teen counselor. He 
is known for his love of people and his encouraging attitude.
  I wish Joe and his wife, Andrea, the very best with their future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________