[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE SERVICE OF FORMER GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL

  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 to discuss an 
individual and honor an individual who was a Member of this body for 
many, many years from the State of Georgia, and he just ended his term 
as Governor for the last 8 years, Nathan Deal.
  I saw yesterday, as I was looking through some pictures on social 
media, there was a picture that showed, as it should properly show when 
you think of Nathan Deal, him leaving the capitol for the last time, 
arm in arm with his beloved Sandra. That is the way they have governed 
for the last 8 years.
  Nathan Deal has brought a sense of accomplishment; he has brought a 
sense of pride. Not only did he do that up here in the Halls of 
Congress where he served us ably and was on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee and took the interests of Georgia to heart in everything that 
he did, when he went back to Georgia, though, and became our Governor, 
I believe he hit his stride that has brought Georgia so far in the last 
8 years.
  When he first got there, I was in the State legislature, and I was 
honored that I was part of his team as the Governor's floor leader.
  At that time, our rainy day fund was basically nonexistent. It is now 
over $2 billion.
  At that time, we had a fledgling beginning industry in films and 
motion pictures that has now become the envy, literally, of the world 
and one of the top places in all of the world to make blockbuster 
films.
  He has taken an aging infrastructure and transportation plan and, 
now, has given hope to that transportation plan in Georgia.
  But also, when I came here to Congress, and last Congress, we were 
able to work on criminal justice reform with this President and this 
administration. But in many ways, it would not have happened up here if 
it had not been for Governor Nathan Deal.
  When he went to Georgia, he began to look at our criminal justice 
system. He began to look at how we were treating those who needed a 
second chance, who needed the hope that was provided in a system that 
was not providing what it needed to.
  Nathan Deal took a stand, and Georgia has become an international 
leader in how we deal with our criminal justice system and how we take 
care of those individuals. We have seen crime rates decrease; we have 
seen families put back together; we have seen a better Georgia.
  Personally, I have known Governor Deal for almost 35, 40 years. I 
played basketball with his son. He and Sandra and my mom and dad would 
actually work in the concession stands together at North Hall High 
School many years ago.
  That is Nathan Deal. He has never been afraid to do the hard work, to 
not take the claim or the glory, but he just got the job done. As 
Governor, he raised civil discourse in Georgia. He made people think, 
and he made our State better.
  So, yesterday, as I saw the picture of Governor Deal and Sandra arm 
in arm, I could not help but think how this man has touched so many 
lives, including my own, with phone calls, with encouragement to be a 
better person, and also, in our case, to be a better State.
  Georgia has been honored to have Nathan Deal as Governor for the last 
8 years. We are looking forward to a new administration with Brian 
Kemp, but I will have to say, those are big shoes to fill.
  Governor Deal, you did us proud.


         Recognizing Carol Martin, Gainesville Chief of Police

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Carol Martin, Chief of Police of the City of Gainesville. Chief Martin 
is retiring on January 31, 2019, after protecting and serving our city 
for over 32 years.
  First joining the Gainesville Police Department in January 1987 as a 
patrol officer, Chief Martin has dedicated her life to public safety. 
She has advanced through the ranks of investigator, sergeant, 
lieutenant, captain, and major, until August of 2014, when she made 
history as the very first female chief of police for the city of 
Gainesville.
  Chief Martin's career in law enforcement has been marked with 
excellence. In 1997, she was recognized by the Gainesville Elks Lodge 
as Police Chief of the Year; and in 2003 and 2007, the Gainesville 
Kiwanis Club presented her with the John W. Jacobs, Sr., Memorial Award 
for her excellence in law enforcement.
  She is an active member of the International and Georgia Associations 
of Chiefs of Police and serves as a board member on the Gainesville 
Rape Response and the Georgia Law Enforcement State Certification 
Program.
  Her resume is superseded only by her character. For over three 
decades, Chief Martin has made great sacrifices to serve and protect 
our communities. As the son of a Georgia State trooper, I understand 
firsthand the dangers that our law enforcement officers face each and 
every day. Chief Martin has continually put her life on the line so 
that the people of Gainesville do not have to fear for their own.

  I want to congratulate Chief Carol Martin on her retirement. But most 
of all, I want to thank her for her dedicated life of service to the 
rule of law and protecting the people of northeast Georgia and for 
being a dear friend of mine.

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