[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E876-E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF COACH JACK M. POWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2018

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man of 
purpose, sincerity, and high character, Coach Jack M. Powell. Sadly, 
Coach Powell passed away on May 12, 2018. His funeral services were 
held on Saturday, May 19, at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church of Eufaula 
in Eufaula, Alabama.
  The Andalusia, Alabama native was born on March 20, 1922, to the 
union of George Bennie and Lilla Lawson Powell as one of ten children. 
A graduate of Pleasant Home High School of Andalusia, Coach played 
basketball in the state tournament for three years before going on to 
play basketball at Auburn University.
  Jack was a highly respected coach who also served as an educator for 
40 years while at Lockhart and Eufaula High Schools (1947-1966); 
Livingston University (1966-1972), and Sparks State Technical College, 
in Eufaula, Alabama (from 1972 until his retirement). Highlights of his 
remarkable coaching career include several ``Coach of the Year'' awards 
and Hall of Fame inductions; numerous district, area, regional, state, 
and all-star championships; and the establishment of the Tri-State 
Basketball Try-Out Clinic and Alabama's Junior Pro Basketball League.
  He dedicated his life to helping others--especially our most precious 
resources--young people. He used the season of his life to help others 
reach their full potential. He was dedicated to his craft as both a 
teacher and a coach. Coach Powell was well respected by his peers, 
players, students, and colleagues. He knew that his life would be 
measured not by wins and losses on a sports field, but by the 
difference he made in the lives of his students and players.
  Jack's faith inspired him to serve through virtually every segment of 
church life. He served as a Sunday School Teacher for more than 50 
years (with his class at First Baptist Church of Eufaula being named 
after him) and a Sunday School Superintendent. He also served many 
years as a Deacon and was Chairman of the Deacon Board for 12 years. 
His walk as a devout Christian was the foundation of his life.
  His greatest role in life was that of a dedicated husband to his late 
wife, Opal, and loving father to his two sons, Doyle and John.
  While I did not know Jack personally, I know his son, John, the 
Executive Director of the American Peanut Shellers Association, which 
is based in Albany, Georgia. It has been said that the tree is known by 
the fruit it bears. If that is true, Coach Jack M. Powell was truly a 
fine and exemplary man, having molded and shaped the character of his 
devoted and loving son-John. John was a dutiful son and throughout his 
dad's life, especially in his sunset years, he truly honored his father 
as administered by the scriptures.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and I, 
along with more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional 
District in extending condolences to his family, friends and loved 
ones. To ``God Be the Glory'' for the life of Coach Jack M. Powell for 
his contributions to the betterment of humankind.

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