[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 33 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE MARCUS EUGENE COLLINS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2014

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great man, 
veteran, and outstanding public servant, the Honorable Marcus Eugene 
Collins, Sr. Sadly, Marcus passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014, at 
the age of 87. The funeral service was held on Monday, February 17, 
2014, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Jamerson-Braswell Funeral Home in 
Pelham, Georgia.
  Born on January 25, 1927, in Albany, Georgia, Marcus spent most of 
his life in Pelham, Georgia. As a veteran of World War II, Marcus 
honorably and courageously served his country.
  Marcus was also dedicated to serving his local community in Georgia. 
He represented Pelham in the Georgia House of Representatives for 
twenty years and served as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. 
After his time in the House of Representatives, Marcus was appointed 
Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue. He served in this 
capacity from 1983 until his retirement in 1996. Later, Marcus was 
appointed Executive Director of the Tobacco Community Development 
Board.
  Hailed by his friends and family as a true Southern gentleman, Marcus 
was a ``mover and shaker'' in the community. He was ahead of his time, 
a true innovator, and a crucial player in South Georgia leadership. He 
was an inspiring mentor to me and to many others and the great legacy 
he leaves to all of us is the faithful and dedicated life he led.
  Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. 
A great soul never dies.'' Marcus is undoubtedly great because of his 
distinguished service to his community, devotion to his work, and the 
compassion he showed for his friends and loved ones.
  Marcus is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, Elizabeth, 
Marcus, David, Jennifer, and Rebecca; and thirteen grandchildren. He 
was a devoted member of Lake Pleasant Baptist Church in Pelham, 
Georgia.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I would like to extend our deepest 
condolences to the Collins family and we pray that they be encouraged 
by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit during the coming days, 
weeks, and months ahead. I also ask my colleagues to join me today in 
paying tribute to the Honorable Marcus Eugene Collins, Sr., and his 
legacy of service to the city of Pelham and State of Georgia. He loved 
the people of Mitchell County and he was committed to making the 
community prosperous and to improving the quality of life. He will 
truly be missed.

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