[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 9, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H7052-H7053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING RETIRED COLONEL GARY CLARK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Spano) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Florida 15th District 
resident and local hero: Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Gary Clark.
  Mr. Speaker, for 26 years, Gary wore his uniform proudly and defended 
our

[[Page H7053]]

way of life. From Vietnam to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to 
Desert Storm, Gary's leadership as a commander and director played a 
key role in our force readiness policies.
  Despite this distinguished career, Gary was just getting started. He 
served on the National Board of Directors of the Military Officers 
Association, as vice chair of the Florida Veterans Foundation, as chair 
of the Polk County Veterans Council, as chairman of the Flight to Honor 
Polk, and serves on the James A. Haley VA Hospital Advisory Board, 
among others.
  On a personal level, he has also aided my office and those of my two 
predecessors with the military service academies nomination process--
his deep insight and knowledge have helped numerous students throughout 
the years who also proudly served our country. And just this past 
September, Gary joined the 8th class to enter the Florida Veterans' 
Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, it is Americans like Gary who have sacrificed their 
time, their talents, and their treasures for both this Nation and their 
neighbors. When I see an American flag, I think of Gary, and I am so 
proud to call him my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Gary for his service; and to many more years 
ahead, I salute him.


                  Remembering Bishop Matthew Williams

  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mourn the passing of Bishop Matthew 
Williams, a longtime community and faith leader from our district, and 
a personal inspiration to me.
  Bishop Williams was born in March of 1956, in Lakeland, Florida, the 
son of the late elder Matthew Williams, Sr., and the late Mother Louise 
Williams. He graduated from my alma mater, Brandon High School, in 
1974, and attended Hillsborough Community College. Yet, at the age of 
17, and during a period of national unrest, he accepted Christ as his 
personal Savior and, in 1982, became a full-time minister at Brown 
Memorial Church of God in Christ, forever impacting countless lives in 
our community.
  Not only was Bishop Williams always available to help anyone in need, 
he always was a source of strength and guidance to his peers. Given his 
dedication to his neighbors and faith, it is no surprise that he was 
elected to the Church of God in Christ's General Board, the highest 
executive and administrative board within his denomination.
  Mr. Speaker, our community and my family extend our deepest 
sympathies to the Williams' family, especially to his wife, Gayle, and 
his daughter, Deniece. Though, he will be missed, we know that he still 
lives in the presence of Almighty God and awaits our next meeting.

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