[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MR. PARKER GREENE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2018

  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, December 18, 
2018, one of South Georgia's most influential and storied residents, 
Mr. Parker Greene, passed away. I, like many, was saddened to hear the 
news of his passing and offer my continued prayers to his wife Lucy, as 
well as his family and community, during this time.
  In 1970, Parker and Dr. Lucy Greene moved to Valdosta, Georgia and 
quickly became integral members of the local community. Shortly after 
coming to town, Parker signed up to serve on the Chamber of Commerce 
military affairs board where he worked to maintain a strong 
relationship between the community and Moody Air Force Base, which 
calls the surrounding Lowndes County and South Georgia region home. 
Over the years, Parker and Lucy continued in various roles to 
strengthen the partnership between Moody, Lowndes County and Valdosta. 
They worked with military officials and local, state and federal 
leaders to prevent the base from being closed or realigned with other 
missions.
  In 2005, Parker was named by then-Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to 
the Georgia Military Affairs Committee, where he advocated for all 
Georgia military installations and facilitated communication between 
the Governor's office and Pentagon and Air Force officials. Parker also 
served on the first Air Combat Command's civilian advisory council, 
where he acted as a liaison between the Air Combat Command and local 
community leaders.
  For this stalwart service to our nation and South Georgia, Parker was 
awarded the Loyce W. Turner Award for Public Service given by Valdosta 
State University Public Administration Advisory Council and the Air 
Force Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor the Air 
Force bestows on a civilian. Greene was also awarded the first ever 
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award for Exceptional Public Service by 
Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the 18th Chief of Staff of the United States 
Air Force.
  In his passing, countless U.S. Air Force leaders, including Air Force 
Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, have offered their condolences 
and thanks for nearly 50 years of civilian service to our nation's 
Airmen.
  Earlier this year, the South Georgia region was named a ``Great 
American Defense Community'' by the Association of Defense Communities 
and USAA. This honor is a testament to the years long, tireless work of 
local leaders in South Georgia, including Mr. Greene and his wife Lucy.
  While we mourn the loss of Mr. Greene, we also celebrate his life 
well lived and his invaluable contributions to South Georgia which will 
be remembered for decades to come.
  Goodspeed, Parker Greene.

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