[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 22, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H4073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING MEL SHOWERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Byrne) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mel Showers upon 
his retirement from WKRG in Mobile, Alabama, after a remarkable 50-year 
career.
  Mel holds a special place in the hearts of many in southwest Alabama 
and the Florida panhandle. So many grew up watching his reporting and 
grew to trust him over the years.
  Mel's career is notable not only because of its length, but also 
because of the barriers he overcame to become one of the first African 
American reporters and, later, anchors in the Deep South. A man of 
lesser perseverance and integrity could not have overcome these 
obstacles with such grace.
  Mel deserves our utmost respect, and we will miss seeing him every 
evening.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mel. I offer my heartfelt thanks for his 
many contributions to our community over the years, and I wish him the 
best of luck in his retirement.


                      Remembering Billy Middleton

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of the 
longtime mayor of Loxley, Alabama, Billy Middleton. After a long, hard-
fought battle, Mayor Middleton succumbed to cancer last week at 78 
years old.
  Billy was first elected mayor in 1988, and before his passing, he was 
serving a remarkable seventh term.
  His longevity was no accident. A former marine, Mayor Middleton was a 
true public servant whose dedication to his community extended far 
beyond his official duties and endeared him to the people of southwest 
Alabama. His community is better because he was a part of it.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, Lilly, and 
the many family and friends he leaves behind. Billy's memory and 
service to the close-knit town of Loxley will last long beyond his 
death.

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