[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 72 (Thursday, May 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Tribute to Woody Woodside

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, one of the great honors we have in the 
Senate is the tradition of bringing Americans of great reputation and 
achievement before the Record of the U.S. Senate.
  Today, I am proud to rise to speak about a personal friend of mine--
we don't often get to do this--a man by the name of Woody Woodside. He 
is actually here with us today in the Senate Galleries.
  Woody is the epitome of what makes America great. He is an 
institution in south Georgia and in my hometown. Woody has never met a 
stranger. He is a man of character and a joy to be around.
  Woody graduated from The Citadel and spent 23 years serving our 
country in the Army and the Georgia Army National Guard. He later 
worked 13 years as a congressional staffer for Congressman Bo Ginn and 
Congressman Lindsay Thomas, both of whom represented Georgia's First 
Congressional District.
  Woody then became president of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of 
Commerce in Glynn County, where my wife, Bonnie, and I today reside. 
During his 34 years at the chamber, Woody has overseen a number of 
major economic development projects and been a true leader not only in 
that community but across our entire State. Much of Brunswick's success 
and, indeed, the success of our entire State of Georgia can be 
attributed to Woody Woodside.
  Woody is honest, persistent, and reliable. He knows how to get things 
done. He knows how to laugh.
  Woody has long been an advocate for Georgia's ports, and he played a 
pivotal role in securing funding to deepen the Brunswick Harbor. That 
project was completed in 2007 and enabled the port to specialize in 
roll-on, roll-off cargo, like cars, trucks, and heavy construction 
equipment. Because of that, today, the Brunswick Port is the No. 1 port 
in the United States for new auto imports and the No. 2 port for roll-
on, roll-off cargo in total. It is an amazing development in less than 
a decade. This port is a major economic driver in coastal Georgia and 
supports 11,000 jobs in the Brunswick area.
  Woody has also worked to develop a strong and diverse base of 
employers in the area. Today, Glynn County is home to the Federal Law 
Enforcement Training Center, FLETC, which is the largest homeland 
security training center in the United States. It is also home to 
companies like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a major medical 
center, the College of Coastal Georgia, and a strong tourism industry.
  One of Woody's top priorities is workforce development, and it has 
been throughout his entire career. In 2009, through partnerships with 
business and education leaders, Woody helped to open the Golden Isles 
College and Career Academy. It was one of the first programs of its 
kind in the entire State of Georgia. Last year, Golden Isles College 
and Career Academy was named the best career academy in Georgia. That 
is quite an achievement.
  Clearly, our citizens, our community, and our entire state are better 
off because of Woody Woodside's leadership, his dedication, and his 
perseverance.
  Woody, Bonnie, and I can't thank you enough for all you have done for 
us personally and for the State of Georgia. We are proud to know you 
and to call you our friend. We wish you and Ellen all the best in your 
retirement.
  I know this won't be the last time we hear of Woody Woodside.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.