[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 7, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H3453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LINNIE ``PAPA'' DARDEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Linnie ``Papa'' Darden, who is being honored at the Legends, Leaders, 
and Life Well Lived Award luncheon on May 9.
  Well deserving of this honor, he should be an inspiration to us all 
about how to constantly strive to make the world a better place to 
live. Mr. Darden has dedicated much of his life to young people, 
teaching deaf children in Ethiopia and counseling teenagers on life 
skills and drug education here in the United States.
  At the young age of 80, he earned a Ph.D. in religious counseling 
with a thesis on at-risk youth.
  Along with serving youth at home and abroad, he served in our 
Nation's Armed Forces.
  I couldn't be prouder to have him in the First Congressional District 
of Georgia. I thank Mr. Darden for his service, both in the military 
and in our communities. He continues to truly exemplify a life well 
lived.


                        honoring richard eckburg

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Richard ``Dick'' Eckburg, who is being honored at the Legends, Leaders, 
and Life Well Lived Award luncheon on May 9.
  Well deserving of this honor, he should be an inspiration to us all 
about how to constantly strive to make the world a better place to 
live.
  A Korean war veteran, Dick worked at UPS for 32 years, eventually 
becoming the vice president of public affairs. Since then, he has 
dedicated countless time and resources to numerous charitable 
organizations around the Savannah area, including the Telfair Museum, 
the Lucas Theatre, the Bethesda Academy, and many more.
  Dick's work with each of these organizations, along with that of his 
wonderful wife, Judy, has changed the face of Savannah and improved the 
lives of many in our community.
  I couldn't be prouder to have him in the First Congressional District 
of Georgia. I thank Dick for his service in the military and especially 
for his service to our community. He continues to truly exemplify a 
life well lived.


                        honoring dr. les wilkes

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Les 
Wilkes, who is being honored at the Legends, Leaders, and Life Well 
Lived Award luncheon on May 9.
  Well deserving of this honor, he should be an inspiration to us all 
about how to constantly strive to make the world a better place to 
live.
  Dr. Wilkes practiced orthopedic surgery in Savannah for over 40 
years. Before that, he served in the United States Navy as an 
orthopedic surgeon.
  After his retirement, he partnered with Hospice Savannah to provide 
photographs for the clients. He continues his work with our veterans by 
serving in Honor Flights, escorting veterans to Washington, D.C.
  Dr. Wilkes is also the unofficial photographer for Wesley United 
Methodist Church in downtown Savannah where he and his wife, Ge-Juan, 
and their son, Lee, and his family have worshipped for many years.
  I couldn't be prouder to have him in the First Congressional District 
of Georgia. I thank Dr. Wilkes for his service, both in the military 
and in our communities. He continues to truly exemplify a life well 
lived.


             recognizing savannah college of art and design

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Savannah College of Art and Design on its 40th anniversary.

  In 1978, an elementary school teacher, Ms. Paula Wallace, wanted to 
start a college in her hometown dedicated to the arts. Beginning with 
71 students, SCAD now has over 55,000.
  The school has four campuses, in Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong, and 
Lacoste, France. It has countless alumni who have gone on to successful 
careers in photography, abstract art, film, interior design, and so 
much more.
  In addition to providing college students with an exceptional art-
centered education, they have given back to our community 10 times 
over, hosting art festivals, public concerts, and fashion shows.
  Locations important to our city's history and culture have been 
restored by its students: the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home, the 
Victory Drive corridor, and the Massie Heritage Center.
  I thank everyone at SCAD--the faculty, administrators, and students 
alike--for their contributions to our area. As a native Savannahian, I 
have always said that SCAD was the catalyst for the renovation of 
downtown Savannah.
  I thank Paula Wallace for bringing SCAD to Savannah and leading its 
success over the last four decades, and I congratulate it on its 40th 
anniversary.

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