[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROBERT WILLIAMS

 Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today, I am honored to recognize 
in the Record Mr. Robert M. Williams, Jr., who recently retired after 
almost half a century as editor and publisher of the Blackshear Times 
in Blackshear, GA.
  While he may be a small-town newspaperman, Robert Williams is known 
throughout south Georgia and across much of our State because of his 
work ethic, his devotion to the printed word, and his dedication to the 
newspaper business and what it means to a community. For more than 48 
years, Robert has worked to be accurate, fair, and to provide his 
readers with the news that affects them and the community they all 
cherish. He has personally written more than 2,000 columns during his 
career.
  It is worth mentioning that the newspaper's motto, printed at the top 
of the front page of the printed publication and online, is one Robert 
has also claimed as his own: ``Liked by Many, Cussed by Some, Read by 
Them All.'' With the weekly newspaper also turning 150 years this year 
under Robert's leadership, both have long been widely read.
  At Just 20 years old, Robert began his career at the Blackshear Times 
after coming down to the community from the University of Georgia in 
Athens, GA. He was brought in by two legendary Georgians themselves, 
Roy Chalker, Sr., and Wilkes Williams of Waynesboro, to turn their 
investment around. Turn it around he did, settling well into the 
community at the same time. A short 5 years later, Robert purchased the 
Blackshear Times. Under Robert's leadership during the last 48 years, 
the newspaper has won hundreds of awards in a variety of categories.
  Robert and his wife Cheryl have both loyally and successfully served 
not only this publication, but the newspaper industry as a whole. The 
Blackshear Times is one of five newspapers that Robert and Cheryl have 
owned as part of their SouthFire Newspapers organization, which also 
includes the Alma Times, the Charlton County Herald, the Telfair 
Enterprise, and the Monroe County Reporter in Georgia. Robert and 
Cheryl have both served as president of the Georgia Press Association, 
our State's newspaper industry advocacy organization. Robert was also 
president of the 2,300-member National Newspaper Association in 2014, 
serving nationally as the voice of small-town newspapers.
  Locally, Robert Williams served two terms on the Blackshear City 
Council and served as executive director of both the Pierce County 
Industrial Development Authority and the Pierce County Chamber of 
Commerce. Robert is also a graduate of the Leadership Georgia program, 
an organization we both hold dear and that has guided our service to 
the State. Robert has found countless ways to give back. Whether it was 
as a member of the Georgia Agriculture Exposition Authority that 
governs the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry or the local college 
foundation board, Robert and Cheryl have made an impact well beyond 
Blackshear both professionally and personally.
  Last week, Robert announced the sale of the Blackshear Times, bidding 
farewell after one of the longest editorial tenures in Georgia. With 
his final column as editor and publisher, Robert was incredibly 
gracious, thanking his colleagues, employees, mentors, and the fine 
bankers who gave him those first loans.
  I speak for all Georgians when I say thank you to Robert and Cheryl 
for the difference you have made in our State. I count myself lucky to 
call you a friend, and Dianne and I wish you both the very best as you 
plan your future.

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