[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORIAM OF THE HONORABLE BUCKNER MELTON, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2014

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
generous community leader and outstanding public servant, and friend of 
longstanding, the Honorable Buckner F. ``Buck'' Melton, Sr., Former 
Mayor of Macon, Georgia. Sadly, Mr. Melton passed away on Wednesday, 
March 5, 2014. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of 
his family, friends and the Macon, Georgia community.
  On Saturday, March 8, 2014, friends and family gathered to celebrate 
the life and career of this influential man at a memorial service held 
at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Macon.
  Buck Melton was born on October 24, 1923, in Arlington, Georgia to 
the Reverend and Mrs. Henry Martin Melton. He grew up in Moultrie, 
Georgia, but moved to Macon to attend Mercer University. He went on to 
graduate from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law and 
began his career as an attorney in Macon.
  After serving as city attorney during the 1960s, Attorney Melton was 
elected to the office of Mayor in 1975. During his one term as Mayor, 
Mr. Melton helped to establish Mercer University's School of Medicine 
as well as the city's local option sales tax, which is still used 
today. Mr. Melton was also particularly proud of the seventy miles of 
roads paved in Macon during his tenure.
  The World War II and Korean War veteran loved his adopted hometown of 
Macon and he served his community in many capacities. He was president 
of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce in 1971, president of the 
Macon Bar Association in 1973 and he served on the board of the Macon-
Bibb County Urban Development Authority, among the numerous other civic 
organizations he belonged to during his life.
  George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to 
come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct 
and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' Buck Melton left 
behind a legacy of leadership and kindness that is still felt 
throughout the Macon, Georgia community today.
  Buck is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Tommie; children, 
Leigh and Buckner, Jr.; grandson, Grady; nephews, Tim, Hank and Will; 
and niece, Mary Ann.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the 
Macon, Georgia community in honoring the life of Former Mayor Buckner 
Melton, Sr. He will truly be missed, but his legacy will not soon be 
forgotten.

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