[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE MARETTA MITCHELL TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
distinguished public servant, devoted educator and dear friend to my 
wife, Vivian and me, The Honorable Maretta Mitchell Taylor. Sadly, 
Maretta passed away on February 17, 2013 at the age of 78. She leaves 
behind a legacy of service that will never be forgotten.
  Maretta was born on January 25, 1935, to the union of the late Mr. 
and Mrs. Zedic Deaner James. She was a 1953 graduate of William H. 
Spencer High School, a 1957 graduate of Albany State College (now 
university) with a Bachelor of Science Degree and later graduated from 
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana with a Master's of Science 
Degree.
  Her life's work always centered on young people and helping them to 
reach their full potential. She truly understood the saying that, 
``Education is the passport to the future; it belongs to those who 
prepare for it today.'' She touched and enriched the lives of countless 
young people during her 30 years as a teacher and media specialist. She 
retired from William H. Spencer High School in 1987. She also served on 
the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration.
  Maretta was never one to rest on her laurels and she decided to take 
up another calling as she succeeded me in the Georgia House of 
Representatives in 1991 following my election to the Georgia Senate. 
She used this position to continue to advocate for young people and 
their betterment. When advocating for them, her favorite saying was, 
``but it is for the children.'' All of the committees that she served 
on in the Georgia House were dedicated to the uplift and support of 
young people.
  Maretta was more than an educator, she was more than a legislator, 
she was a servant to all humankind. She gave herself to so many causes 
and organizations that are too numerous for me to mention. Dr. Maya 
Angelou once said that, ``I've learned that you shouldn't go through 
life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw 
something back.'' Maretta threw a prodigious amount of love and service 
back to the Columbus, Georgia community that she loved so dearly.
  Maretta married the love of her life, Jesse Taylor in 1974 and they 
built a life that was based on the love of God, the love of each other, 
the love of family and the love of people. They knew that the love of 
these could lead one to a great relationship with God because they are 
an embodiment of his greatest commandments: to love him with all your 
``heart, mind and soul'' and to ``love your neighbor as thyself.''
  Maretta was truly one of a kind who left an incredible legacy on the 
world through all that she touched. I am proud to have known this very 
special woman who dedicated her life to uplifting others and I am proud 
to honor her life and legacy with this statement. To God be the glory 
for blessing the world with a woman the caliber of Maretta Mitchell 
Taylor. We are all better because she traveled this way.
  Vivian and I extend our deepest condolences to her loved ones during 
this time of bereavement. 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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