[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E773-E774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE EVELYN WRIGHT TURNER PUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2021

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary 
public servant, wife, mother and dear friend of longstanding to many, 
the Honorable Evelyn Wright Turner Pugh. Sadly, Ms. Pugh passed away on 
Saturday, July 10, 2021. A memorial celebration of her life will be 
held at 11:00 am, Monday July 19, 2021 at Revelation Baptist Church, 
203 R.C. Allen Drive, Columbus, Georgia.
  A native of Columbus, Evelyn Wright was born on June 23, 1950 to the 
late Willie ``Son'' Wright and Mary Pearl Haynes. She attended George 
Washington Carver High School, graduating in 1968. Upon graduation she 
married Marcus ``Pancho'' Turner and they had 2 sons, Marcus Deon and 
Maurice. Determined to prepare herself for an amazing career, she 
attended Columbus College (now Columbus State University) where she 
received her Associate's degree in Secretarial Science, a Bachelor's in 
Management/Accounting and a Master's in Business Administration. 
Beginning her career as a secretary at Columbus College and Progressive 
Funeral Home she earned her tuition and was mentored by Columbus icon, 
Mr. George Washington Ford, being inspired by his example of selfless 
service in helping others.
  Evelyn gained employment at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and 
rose quickly through the ranks holding a plethora of positions ranging 
from entry level to managerial across a span of 30 years. In 1999 she 
was appointed Vice President of Sun Trust Bank, West Georgia, a 
position she held until her retirement from the banking industry in 
2012.
  When her marriage ended in divorce, she successfully managed her 
roles as mother and business executive but felt a calling to serve her 
community. Growing out of a group of young adults concerned about 
conditions in the Columbus community, ``People For A Cause'', Evelyn 
offered herself for public office and in 1988 was elected to the City 
Council of Columbus where she served for 30 years, 14 as Mayor Pro Tem, 
working to improve the quality of life for the people of Columbus.
  Due to her strong leadership and dedication to public service, she 
was selected for numerous other responsibilities. She was appointed by 
Governor Zell Miller to the Georgia Policy Council on Children and 
Families; to the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of 
Government Advisory Committee; and the Mental Health Mental Retardation 
Substance Abuse Funding Study Committee. She was appointed Chair of the 
National League of Cities' Public Safety and Crime Prevention Steering 
Committee, working with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno on the use of 
grants from the Community Oriented Policing Services Program; was 
elected Georgia Chair of Women in Municipal Government; President of 
the Georgia Municipal Association and Board of Directors of the 
National League of Cities.
  And if that was not enough, she continued service on local boards, 
including the Board of Directors of Girls, Inc.; St. Francis Hospital; 
Columbus Technical College; Liberty Theater and Muscogee Educational 
Excellence Foundation. She was a faithful member of the Columbus 
Chapter of The Links, Inc.; and Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma 
Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as Treasurer and Financial Secretary. She 
was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Award, among other 
distinguished honors, including being named by Georgia Trend Magazine 
as one of Georgia's top public servants. Moreover, she served as 
Treasurer for my political campaign committees, both State and Federal, 
for over 4 decades and was a trusted friend.
  Evelyn was a devoted sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, mentor and 
friend to many. She poured herself into her sons, Deon and Maurice. She 
found love later in life, married the late Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) 
Reginald Pugh

[[Page E774]]

and lovingly embraced her new blended family, including Reggie, Jr., 
Tijuana and Talender. She was proud of all of her grandchildren and 
doted in their every achievement.
  Evelyn loved God and served him throughout her life in various 
capacities through Holsey Chapel CME Church, Fourth Street Baptist 
Church and Revelation Baptist Church.
  Shirley Chisholm often said that ``Service is the rent that we pay 
for the space we occupy on this earth''. Evelyn paid her rent and she 
paid it well. She gave so much to so many for so long and continued 
until she could give no more. Columbus, the State of Georgia, our 
nation and all those whose lives she touched are better because of her.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives join my wife Vivian and me, along with the residents of 
the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia in paying tribute to The 
Honorable Evelyn Wright Turner Pugh for her service and in extending 
our deepest condolences to her family, friends and all who mourn her 
loss. Moreover, we pray that we will all be consoled and comforted by 
an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months 
ahead.

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