[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1281-E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF DR. CORNELIUS W. GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2019

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
strategic thinker, a great motivational speaker, an excellent 
entrepreneur, a man of God, a friend of longstanding, and my fraternity 
brother, Dr. Cornelius W. Grant. Sadly, Dr. Grant passed away on 
Saturday, September 28, 2019, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in 
Albany, Georgia. His homegoing service was held on Wednesday, October 
2, 2019, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. His passing 
leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his family, friends, and the 
countless students he mentored as the Vice President of Student Affairs 
at Albany State College (now University) and those he touched in his 
many other endeavors.
  Dr. Cornelius ``C.W.'' Grant, also affectionately known as ``Dean 
Grant'', was born on February 10, 1931, to the union of the late 
Reverend Everett Grant and Mrs. Elberta Clark Grant. He was a product 
of the public-school system in Jacksonville, Florida, graduating from 
Stanton High School. The next step of his life's journey took him to 
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). He took a brief 
respite from FAMU to serve our country in the United States Army. After 
a successful tour of duty, he returned to FAMU and earned his Juris 
Doctorate Degree. He began his career at Albany State College in 1966 
as the Vice President for Student Affairs where he retired in 1996 
after an incredible 30-year career.
  Because of the solid spiritual foundation that was instilled in him 
at an early age by his parents, he enjoyed a strong relationship with 
God. He was an active member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, 
Georgia for many years, serving under the leadership of Dr. E. James 
Grant and Dr. Daniel B. Simmons. In later years, he continued his walk 
with the Lord at Second Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany under the 
leadership of Dr. Theodus Drake. God indeed ordered the steps of his 
life.
  He was highly sought-after as a public speaker, lecturer, and 
consultant. Dr. Grant gave many speeches all across the country. He 
always left a mark and very often ended his speeches with his legendary 
phrase, ``If it is to be, it is up to me!''

[[Page E1282]]

  Dr. Grant was armed with a servant's heart and gave of himself in 
selfless service to many local, state, and national organizations to 
include: The National Association of Student Affairs Professionals 
(NASAP); the American Association of Law Librarians; the Benevolent 
Elks; the Pinochle Club; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Delta Delta Chapter); 
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany; Albany Civil Rights Institute; the 
American Red Cross; The Dougherty County School Board; and Kappa Alpha 
Psi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Grant was a leader and not a follower. He 
served as President of the Albany Civil Rights Institute Board of 
Directors, Chairman of the Dougherty School Board and also served as 
President of NASAP. Dr. Grant was also a trailblazer and a history 
maker. As a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc., he holds 
the distinction of being one of only six members of the fraternity 
bestowed with both the Elder Watson Diggs Award and the Laurel Wreath, 
the highest awards given by the fraternity. He also served as the 16th 
Southeastern Province Polemarch.
  Dr. Grant was a man who exuded confidence. He was indeed an original. 
He made those with whom he came in contact believe that they could 
accomplish any task. Dr. Grant's life was truly lived in the words of 
George Bernard Shaw when he said, ``Some people see things as they are 
and they say why, I dream things that never were, and I say why not?'' 
Dr. Grant lived his life with a ``Why Not?'' philosophy.
  Of course, none of this would have been possible without the love and 
support of his family, his late wife, Dr. Velma Fudge Grant, who was a 
long time professor of English and Language Arts; his two daughters, 
Cheryl Lawson and Joi Grady; his grandchildren; godsons; and companion, 
Judge Denise Marshall.
  On a personal note, Dr. Grant was my friend and my fraternity brother 
in both Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi. He was always encouraging and 
supportive of my career in Congress and I will indeed miss his candid 
and cogent advice and counsel.
  Madam Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 
people of the Second Congressional District, and the countless others 
who were touched by this great man, would like to extend our deepest 
sympathies to the Grant family. We are proud to have known a man who 
dedicated his life to the uplift of others. To God be the Glory for the 
life and legacy of Dr. Cornelius W. Grant.

                          ____________________