[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF MR. FRANKLIN DOUGLASS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding community leader, devoted public servant, and loving 
husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mr. Franklin Douglass. A 
funeral service to celebrate Frank's life will be held on Tuesday, June 
30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church in 
Columbus, Georgia, where he had served as a deacon.
  Franklin Douglass was born in Belle Mona, Alabama on July 20, 1936, 
the third oldest of ten brothers and four sisters. The family made a 
living by tenant farming in rural Limestone County, Alabama. He 
enrolled in Tuskegee Institute, joined ROTC, and graduated with a 
bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation in 
1956. Over the next 30 years, his pursuit of personal growth earned him 
graduate degrees in Personnel Management and Education Supervision and 
Administration. His passion for education was infectious, and as an 
educator Frank inspired thousands of students to seek knowledge and 
growth.
  Frank served our nation honorably as an officer in the United States 
Army from 1959 until 1964, when he was honorably discharged. He then 
accepted his first teaching post at Marshall Junior High School. After 
only a year of teaching, Frank was appointed acting principal of 
Marshall Junior High before becoming a Media Specialist for the 
Muscogee County School District. His career as an educator in the 
Columbus area took Frank to several schools and classrooms before his 
appointment as principal of William H. Spencer High School at the age 
of 40 in 1976. After a dozen years of serving as principal, Frank 
became Director of Muscogee County Student Services in 1988, a post he 
held until his retirement in 1990.
  Frank's passion for improving the conditions of those in the Columbus 
area extended beyond the classroom. As Commissioner and Vice Chairman 
of the Columbus Housing Authority, Frank fought for three decades to 
keep living conditions affordable for everyone in his community. An 
active member of Kiwanis Club, Social-Civic 25 Club, 837 Club, Phi 
Delta Kappa, and Omega Psi Phi, Frank utilized his smile and amiable 
humor to advance the interests of Columbus natives. Additionally, as a 
member of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and the 
Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Frank built ties with 
educational leaders around the state of Georgia and the southeastern 
United States.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I will always remember about 
Franklin Douglass is his steadfast commitment to his family, as well as 
his community. As father to Franklin Karl Douglass and grandfather to 
Temple Douglass, he was an inspiration to extended family and countless 
friends. Moreover, as a husband, there was no limit to his love of his 
wonderful wife of nearly 55 years, Merrian.
  A dear friend to me for more than thirty years, Frank was soft 
spoken, quiet, and thoughtful. He was one of the cooler heads in 
dealing with community issues and problems. His demeanor and 
intuitiveness helped him get things done. We are so blessed that Frank 
passed this way and did so much for so many for so long.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, in 
paying tribute to Franklin Douglass for his servant leadership and his 
deep commitment to his family, his community, and his country. We 
extend our deepest sympathies to the Douglass family and friends during 
this very difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their 
abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

                          ____________________