[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF FORMER MAYOR OF COLUMBUS FRANK MARTIN

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
inspirational and hardworking man and strong community leader, the 
Honorable Frank K. Martin, Former Mayor of the City of Columbus, 
Georgia. Sadly, Mr. Martin passed away on August 12, 2012. His passing 
leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of his family, friends and the 
Columbus, Georgia community.
  On Wednesday, August 15, 2012, a gathering of family members, 
friends, and colleagues paid their respects to Mr. Martin at a memorial 
service held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Columbus.
  Former Mayor Martin was born on November 4, 1938 in Columbus, Georgia 
to the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Callier Martin. Known as ``Butch,'' he 
played for the Columbus High School Football Team. He earned both an 
undergraduate degree and a law degree from the University of Georgia 
and became a successful criminal defense attorney before being elected 
Mayor in 1990.
  As Mayor, Mr. Martin led the passage of a 1 percent sales tax to fund 
the construction of a new civic center, riverwalk and public safety 
building. He was Vice Chairman of the Columbus 1996 Olympic Committee 
from 1993 to 1996 and under his leadership, the City of Columbus was 
able to win a bid to host the 1996 Olympic softball competition.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I will always remember about 
Frank is his ability to get things done. He sought to make a difference 
in the community and ultimately elevated the City of Columbus to new 
heights.
  George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends 
on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, 
sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong 
because someday in your life you will have been all of these.'' Mr. 
Martin went far in life because he had the courage and insight to help 
people fight for justice. We are all blessed to have had him touch our 
lives.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the Columbus, Georgia 
community, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Martin's 
wife Helen, their children, and other family members during this 
difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding 
faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

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