[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H7262-H7263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                   SUPPORTING THE JOHN LEWIS TOD LOOP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Hall) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the Chamber's attention 
to legislation I introduced yesterday. I was honored to introduce 
legislation which would initiate the process to bring innovative mass 
transit options to the south side.
  It was an important first step to bringing the economic power of 
transit-oriented development to often neglected areas within the metro 
Atlanta region without displacement of longtime residents, the John 
Lewis TOD Loop. The report will be required to be produced to the 
Congress within 1 year.
  In addition to the study, this legislation launches the first 
transformative transit project. This project will spark improvement and 
bring economic justice to established neighborhoods and businesses in 
the areas where Representative John Lewis lived for decades.
  Innovative mass transit options in the corridor will link Oakland 
City and Fort McPherson to Greenbriar Mall and a future senior citizen-
focused transit and mixed-use center named in honor of Representative 
John Lewis.
  Such forward progress will improve the lives of residents while 
reducing our CO2 emissions, helping to heal a warming 
planet.
  This project is yet another step toward revitalizing parts of Atlanta 
yet

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to realize their full potential. Once the overall program is 
established, it has the potential to spur $5 billion in economic 
development across thousands of acres in low- to middle-income 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to pass this legislation, launch this 
study, and bring this transit corridor one step closer to reality.


             Celebrating the Lives of Four Great Georgians

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the lives of four great 
Georgians important to Georgia's Fifth Congressional District and to 
greater metro Atlanta who have recently passed away.
  Mrs. Celestine Bray Bottoms was a pillar of the greater Atlanta 
community. As a longtime educator with the Atlanta Public Schools 
system, Mrs. Bottoms touched the lives of thousands of students, 
parents, and fellow educators throughout Atlanta.
  Celestine Bray Bottoms was a graduate of Atlanta's illustrious HBCU 
Spelman College, was the mother of Derrick and Darian Bottoms, the 
mother-in-law to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a beloved 
grandmother, a community activist, and a friend to many.
  Today, District Five honors the life of Mrs. Celestine Bray Bottoms.
  Mr. Speaker, Joseph Arrington, Sr., was a third-generation native of 
Atlanta, a graduate of the historic Booker T. Washington High School, 
and a graduate of Atlanta's Morehouse College.
  Attorney Arrington obtained his law degree from North Carolina 
Central University and a master's degree in public health from the 
University of Pittsburgh.
  A member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and president of Morehouse 
College National Alumni Association, Joseph Arrington, Sr., will 
forever be remembered as a man of honor.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Jane Smith was a beloved third-generation Atlantan. 
She attended Charles Harper High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where she 
held the distinction as the school's very first homecoming queen.
  Dr. Smith's commitment to bettering the lives of fellow Atlantans was 
unmatched.
  Dr. Jane Smith and the Smith and Browning families are some of the 
original native families that have strengthened and elevated Black 
communities in greater metro Atlanta and beyond.
  An unmatched beauty on the inside and out, Dr. Smith will never be 
forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, last and certainly not least, we remember Dilcie Sledge 
Ragsdale, who passed away 1 week ago today.
  Ms. Dilcie hailed from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was a graduate of 
Spelman and Atlanta University.
  As a lifelong educator, she dedicated her life to teaching and 
enriching the lives of others. She lived a full life. She was a 
gardener, an enthusiastic cook, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta 
Sorority, Incorporated.
  She is survived by her children, Valerie and Renard.
  I know I speak for the Fifth District of Georgia when I say she will 
be dearly missed.
  May the memories of all these departed souls be a blessing.

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