[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING DONALD SCOTT OVERTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart 
to remember and honor Donald Scott Overton of Savannah, Georgia, who 
passed away on April 14 at the age of 89.
  Scott served our country in the U.S. Army and trained to be a pilot 
toward the end of the Korean war, giving him a love for flying that he 
would have for the rest of his life.
  Scott became an accomplished glider pilot and enjoyed building planes 
from a kit in his garage.
  Everyone who knew Scott recognized his giving heart and love for 
adventure. With his wife and friends, Scott cruised to all the 
continents except Africa.
  Professionally, Scott worked tirelessly as the president of the 
Arthur D. Crane Real Estate Development Company and owned numerous 
small water companies.
  I am thankful for the immense impact that Scott had on our community, 
and I know his legacy will remain.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who 
knew him, during this most difficult time.


                      Recognizing Mickey Stephens

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor Georgia Representative Mickey Stephens for his remarkable career 
in the Georgia General Assembly.
  Mr. Stephens is a native of Savannah and a proud graduate of Savannah 
State College.
  Mickey served one term in 2002 and was reelected in 2014 to the 
Georgia House, representing the 165th District.
  As an educator, he was a great asset to Savannah High School, Shuman 
Middle School, and John W. Hubert Middle School. Additionally, Mickey 
served on the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education and the 
Savannah Zoning Board of Appeals.
  Mr. Stephens is known throughout Georgia for his civic service, 
including his commitment to the community and his efforts in supporting 
the education of youth and adults.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Stephens for all of his work to make 
Savannah a better place to live. Mr. Stephens is an inspiration to all 
of us about giving back to the community.


                Remembering James ``Jimmy'' Allen Petrea

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart 
to remember and honor the former mayor of Thunderbolt, Jimmy Petrea, 
who passed away on April 24 at the age of 74.
  Jimmy spent his entire life serving others.
  After graduating high school, Jimmy enlisted in the U.S. Navy to 
serve our country and went on to serve 3 years in Vietnam.
  Jimmy was elected mayor of Thunderbolt in 1981 and was reelected for 
multiple terms until he resigned in 2005.
  During his 24 years as mayor, Jimmy was highly regarded by his 
constituents as a person of unquestioned integrity and dedication.
  After a quarter-century of service to the town of Thunderbolt and the 
Coastal Empire, one cannot visit Georgia's First Congressional District 
without seeing the profound impacts Jimmy made for his community.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who 
knew him, during this most difficult time.


                        Recognizing Martin Bell

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor Martin Bell's remarkable career as general manager of the 
Okefenokee Swamp Park.
  For the past 26 years, Martin Bell has welcomed guests from around 
the world to experience the wonders of the Okefenokee Swamp.
  Known as an intensely creative and hardworking leader, Mr. Bell's 
accomplishments are impressive.
  Under Mr. Bell's management, many projects were completed to support 
the park's growth and sustainable future. Some of Mr. Bell's more 
notable accomplishments include the establishment of the Okefenokee 
Railroad, the launch of the holiday light show, the construction of the 
Cypress Cove annex and greenhouse, and the reopening of a water trail 
that had been closed for 40 years.
  Through his stewardship, Mr. Bell has exposed the beauty of the 
Okefenokee Swamp Park to visitors from across the globe and built the 
park into our State's most desirable ecotourism and educational 
destination.
  Mr. Bell's passion and leadership for the park will be missed by all 
of those, like me, who appreciate his steadfast stewardship.

                          ____________________