[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 77 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN DAWSON MATHIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2017

  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleagues, Senator Johnny Isakson, Congressman Sanford Bishop, 
Congressman Barry Loudermilk, Congressman Rick Allen, and Congressman 
Tom Graves, to remember the life of former Georgia Congressman Dawson 
Mathis, who passed away on April 17, 2017. Today, we honor Dawson's 
life, remember his spirit, and thank him and his family for their 
meaningful contributions to the state of Georgia.
  Born in Nashville, Georgia, Dawson Mathis attended South Georgia 
College before he moved to Albany, Georgia in 1964 to work at WALB-TV, 
where he served as the network's news director until 1970. Even at a 
young age, it was clear that Dawson had a knack for communicating with 
and representing all walks of Georgians, a trait that only shined more 
as Dawson began his political career.
  From 1971 until 1981, Dawson served as the Representative for 
Georgia's Second Congressional District. During his time in Congress, 
Dawson was known as a witty southern Democrat who could work cordially 
with Members on both sides of the aisle. As a legislator, Dawson was a 
gifted politician, but always a true statesman. Despite his success in 
working in the highest levels of government, Dawson never grew too 
proud to forget who he was. He was always known to be open and 
accessible, willing to talk to local reporters and constituents for 
hours on end. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Capitol Hill, Dawson 
never lost sight of advocating for the best interests of the Georgians 
he represented, and the legacy he left still benefits the people of 
Southwest Georgia today.
  Dawson was one of a kind, and his decade of public service greatly 
benefitted our state. Our thoughts are with his family and friends 
during this time as they remember the great man he was.

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