[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H717-H718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING ABIT MASSEY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr.
Abit Massey.
Last week, Mr. Massey was awarded one of the highest honors that
anyone can receive from the University of Georgia. On January 27, Mr.
Massey was awarded the University of Georgia President's Medal for
extraordinary contributions to students in academic programs, the
advancement of research, and for inspiring community leaders to enhance
Georgians' quality of life.
Mr. Massey graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949, and
received his Juris Doctorate from Emory University. For almost 50
years, he was executive director of the Georgia Poultry Federation,
known to many as the dean of the poultry industry. Before joining the
Georgia Poultry Federation, he was head of the Georgia Department of
Commerce, where he created the first Welcome Center in Georgia. He has
received numerous awards for his service to the State of Georgia.
But Mr. Massey would argue that his greatest accomplishment would be
his family. Mr. Massey, along with his wife, Kayanne, who was a former
Miss Georgia, have more than 18 family members who attended the
University of Georgia, and the Massey family was named the University
of Georgia Alumni Association Family of the Year in 2014.
I commend Mr. Massey for his commitment to Georgia, and I
congratulate him for receiving this distinguished award.
Recognizing Ms. Frankie Quimby and the Association for Cultural Equity
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms.
Frankie Quimby and the Association for Cultural Equity.
Ms. Quimby, the oldest of 13 children, was born and raised on the
Georgia Sea Islands and descended from slaves of the Hopeton and Altama
Plantations in Glynn County. She, along with her family, make up the
Georgia Sea Island Singers, who have continued to preserve the rich
traditions of African American culture, customs, and the songs of the
Gullah language. In fact, the Quimby family is one of only a few
families who can trace their ancestry back to a specific spot in Africa
on the Niger River.
{time} 1045
In fact, the Quimby family is one of only a few families who can
trace their ancestry back to a specific spot in Africa on the Niger
River.
[[Page H718]]
Along with the Association for Cultural Equity, whose mission is to
facilitate cultural equity through preservation, publication, and
repatriation of music, dance, and spoken word, the Quimby family has
been able to continue to preserve the rich heritage of their African
American culture throughout the Georgia Sea Islands because people
living in the area have been able to retain pure versions of games and
songs brought over from Africa centuries ago.
I commend Ms. Frankie Quimby, the Quimby family, and the Association
for Cultural Equity for preserving this rich history of Georgia's
heritage.
Stephen Elmo Weeks
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
life of Stephen Elmo Weeks, who passed away on January 17, 2016.
Born on December 6, 1919, Elmo, as his friends called him, graduated
from Savannah High School in 1940. Upon graduation, Elmo attended the
Georgia Institute of Technology before heading off to war in 1942,
where he was stationed at a German POW camp in Opelika, Alabama.
Upon his return to Savannah, he joined the family business, Fox &
Weeks funeral home, and soon became actively involved as a founding
board member for the Savannah Christian Preparatory School.
Mr. Weeks was actively engaged with numerous organizations in the
Savannah area, including the Savannah Junior Chamber of Commerce, the
Kiwanis Club, and his church and my church, Wesley Monumental United
Methodist Church.
He was also a man who recognized and enjoyed the great outdoors. As
an avid boater, he spent a significant amount of time on the water,
teaching his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren
about life's lessons.
Whether it was having lunch at the Oglethorpe Club with his close
friends or his continued involvement with the funeral home into his
late eighties, Elmo was a committed and devoted man who always put his
friends and family first.
Elmo, your love and service to your family and community will be
missed.
Remembering the Life of Jim Monaghan
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life
of Jim Monaghan and his dedication to Tybee Island, Georgia.
Born in New York City in 1927, Mr. Monaghan arrived in Savannah by
sailboat in 1982 with his wife, Anne Merchant Monaghan. Soon after
their arrival in Savannah, they moved to Tybee Island.
Over the years, Mr. Monaghan served Tybee Island with enthusiasm. He
served on the Tybee Island City Council, volunteered at the Tybee
lighthouse, and delivered stuffed animals to nursing home residents.
He was a board member and former president of the Tybee Island
Republican Club. A true gentleman with an uplifting spirit and a warm
smile, Mr. Monaghan rarely missed the club's dinner meetings, always
enjoying the social atmosphere and meeting new guests.
Mr. Monaghan passed away last week at the age of 88. He is survived
by his two children, Mr. James C. ``Tripp'' Monaghan III, and Mrs.
Shane Sturm.
I am honored to celebrate the life, the generosity, and the character
of Jim Monaghan. He will truly be missed.
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