[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3152-H3153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING ZELL MILLER, GEORGIA'S GOVERNOR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Collins) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of 
Georgia's legend in many ways, Zell Miller, who spent the last few 
years of his life, as he spent all of his life, in Young Harris in my 
district.
  Zell Miller helped shape Georgia into one of the strongest States in 
the Union. He was a national giant from northeast Georgia, and I looked 
up to him as a leader who never blinked in the face of a challenge or 
let politics eclipse his principles.
  I will always remember the ways he encouraged me and supported me 
through many seasons. My family knew and admired and will miss Zell as 
a true man of the mountains.
  In 1932, Zell Bryan Miller was born to a mother who single-handedly 
built her family's first home with rocks from a nearby stream, which he 
lived in until his passing.
  Zell attended both Young Harris College and Emory University. He put 
his education on hold in order to enlist in the United States Marine 
Corps in 1953.
  One year after he joined the Marines, he married Shirley Carver, and 
they had two sons, Murphy and Matthew.
  A few years later, Zell enrolled at the University of Georgia, where 
he graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in history. His 
education earned him a teaching position back home at Young Harris 
College in 1959, and in the same year, the town elected him as their 
mayor.
  After one mayoral term, residents sent him to the Gold Dome as their 
State senator. In the years following, he worked for Georgia's Governor 
Maddox, Georgia's Democratic Party, the State Board of Pardons and 
Paroles, and, in 1975, he became Georgia's Lieutenant Governor.
  In 1990, Zell became the Governor of Georgia, and his positive 
influence on our State's education system has characterized his tenure.
  His vision for brighter futures came to life when voters ratified the 
State lottery on the 1992 ballot, creating a new fund to support the 
State's education needs. One year later, the H.O.P.E. Scholarship was 
created, making higher education accessible for nearly 2 million 
Georgia students.
  In 1999, Georgia Senator Paul Coverdell passed away while in office, 
and then-Governor Barnes appointed Zell to fill the vacant seat, and 
Zell came to Washington.
  Georgians will remember Zell Miller as one of the State's strongest 
advocates, a leader who never chose ideology over his duty to the 
people who elected him, and, in this time of loss, our prayers are 
focused on his loved ones and the millions of people whom he served.
  Zell Miller was an example of a true man of the mountains who was 
willing to take stands, many times not popular, but he was always 
willing to take a stand for those that mattered.
  Zell Miller will be someone who is missed, whether it be in Atlanta, 
whether it be in Washington, D.C., all across this country, or 
basically back home in the Ninth District of Georgia. Zell Miller is 
someone who we all can look up to and respect. He led in a way that we 
can try to lead as well.


     Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Reserve

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I today rise to recognize the 
70th anniversary of the United States Air Force Reserve, created by 
President Truman on April 14, 1948.
  As a member of the Air Force Reserve, I have been privileged to 
minister and work with airmen since 2002. I can attest to the courage 
exhibited by my fellow airmen both here at home and while serving 
abroad in Iraq together.
  Since our country's founding, citizens have awaited and answered the 
call of duty, accomplishing each mission with valor.
  Air Force reservists, known as Reserve Citizen Airmen, perform 
leading roles in military operations, humanitarian crises, and disaster 
relief across

[[Page H3153]]

the globe. The distinguished group of more than 69,000 Citizen Airmen 
consists of enlisted military troops, officers, and civil servants 
tasked by law to support our Armed Forces in the defense of our 
freedom.
  The Air Force Reserve traces its roots back to the aeronautical 
division of the United States Army's Office of the Chief Signal 
Officer, which took charge of military balloons and air machines in 
1907. Ten years later, the first two Air Force Reserve units were 
deployed to France, as the United States entered World War I, providing 
the war effort with around 10,000 trained pilots.
  With 1,500 Reserve pilots and 1,300 nonrated officers and 400 
enlisted airmen, reservists later played a critical role in World War 
II. The legendary Jimmy Doolittle was among the soldiers in this force 
and, in response to Pearl Harbor, went on to lead the Doolittle Raid, 
the first bombing attack on the Japanese mainland.
  In wars and in combat operations that followed, Citizen Airmen have 
supported the core function of the United States Air Force, as well as 
providing for disaster relief after events like hurricanes and 
wildfires.
  When terrorists attacked our country on September 11, 2001, Air Force 
reservists responded in full force to protect American cities and 
assist in the security efforts.
  Spanning seven decades, the Air Force Reserve has fulfilled the 
promise of the early air pioneers and exceeded their expectations. I 
want to join all of my fellow Citizen Airmen, past and present, in 
celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force 
Reserve.
  No matter where you go in the world, you will find an Air Force 
reservist and the flag flying high and the sound of freedom in the air.

                          ____________________