[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF VIVIAN CREIGHTON BISHOP

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2021

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and 
admiration that I rise today to honor and commend an extraordinary 
public servant, wife, mother, political operative and friend to many, 
The Honorable Vivian Creighton Bishop, upon her retirement as the 
elected Clerk of The Municipal Court of Columbus, Georgia. Ms. Bishop 
retired on December 31, 2020 after 28 years of distinguished service. 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a retirement celebration was delayed and 
combined with a belated birthday party that was held at 6:30 pm on July 
23, 2021 at Warehouse Nine, 920 9th Street, Columbus, Georgia.
  Vivian Francine Creighton was born July 9, 1951 to the late Frank 
Richard Creighton and Evelyn Rushin Creighton at Martin Army Hospital, 
Fort Benning, Georgia. Because her father was a career noncommissioned 
officer in the United States Army, she and her older sister, Jacqueline 
and her younger brother Frank, Jr. as military dependents lived and 
traveled in multiple places across the United States and abroad. Vivian 
graduated high school in Wurzburg, Germany, but frequently during her 
childhood and adolescence, the family lived in Columbus, Georgia where 
she and her siblings would attend school. Following graduation in 1969, 
she was accepted to the University of Maryland Campus in Wurzburg but 
had to withdraw when her father received orders for Viet Nam. She 
attended Columbus Technical College, Atlanta Junior College and Georgia 
State University. After perfect scores on the Georgia State Merit Exams 
she secured employment in Atlanta with the Department of Family and 
Childrens' Services and later with the Georgia State Department of 
Education where she managed Human Resources for Georgia Public 
Television.
  In 1999 she married Meldon Owens and they produced a daughter, 
Aayesha. They moved to Columbus where she was hired as an Accounting 
Clerk in Operations and Purchasing at Jack T. Rutledge State Prison 
where she rose through the ranks to become comptroller at the Prison, 
being among the first African Americans and females to do so at the 
Georgia Department of Corrections. Although her marriage ended in 
divorce, she worked hard in her career and was named Georgia Department 
of Corrections ``Employee of the Year for Administrative Support'' 
after she developed an innovative program for managing inmate accounts 
that was utilized system wide. After 16 years, Vivian left State 
government to become an entrepreneur, opening a gift and flower shop, 
``Baskets of Delight.''
  In 1992, Vivian was asked by a friend who was a victim of domestic 
violence to go with her to get a warrant from the Municipal Court of 
Columbus, Georgia. Witnessing the rude treatment she was receiving from 
Court employees, Vivian questioned their conduct and was told that if 
she did not like the way the office was being run she should run for it 
herself. And run she did. Vivian Creighton was elected countywide and 
became the first African American female to win countywide office in 
Muscogee County, Georgia--a position she held for 28 years. As Clerk 
she reorganized the office to maximize customer service, promote 
efficiency and achieved flawless audits with special recognition noted 
to City Council regarding her exit audit. During her years as Clerk she 
was loved and respected by all who used the court as being competent, 
kind, compassionate and helpful.
  In 2001, Vivian Creighton married yours truly, Congressman Sanford 
Bishop, after a long courtship. We recently celebrated our 20th wedding 
anniversary, having survived as a political couple in spite of 
conflicting views. She was Co-Chair of the Georgia Hillary Clinton 
Presidential Campaign and I was Co-Chair of the Georgia Barack Obama 
Presidential Campaign. In her own right she helped elect countless 
state and local officials including me, mentored others and is 
constantly sought out for political advice and counsel.
  Vivian was elected President of the Congressional Black Caucus 
Spouses. She was the first Georgian and the only African American 
elected President of the prestigious Congressional Club, the 
Congressionally Chartered bi-partisan organization of the spouses of 
members of Congress, ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices, and Cabinet 
secretaries. She chaired the annual ``First Lady's Luncheon'' with 
First Lady Michelle Obama. Moreover, she raised over$ I million for the 
National March of Dimes Gala and won top awards as a celebrity chef.
  On the local level Vivian has been active in numerous groups, 
including NAACP, Rotary Club, Girls Inc., The Links, Inc., American 
Cancer Society, Muscogee Democratic Party and more. She is a longtime 
member of M.L. Harris United Methodist Church although she regularly 
attends Mount Zion Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia wherein I am a 
Deacon.
  Vivian has accomplished much in her life but it would not have been 
possible without the continuous love and support of her family--
daughter, Aayesha; granddaughter, Londyn; sister, Jacqueline, nieces, 
nephews, cousins and legions of friends, all of whom love her dearly. 
And beyond the shadow of a doubt, she is the love of my life.
  It has been said that ``Service is the rent we pay for the space we 
occupy on this earth.'' Vivian Creighton Bishop has paid her rent and 
paid it well. She has done so much for so many for so long.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues of the House of 
Representatives join me, along with the more 730,000 people of the 2nd 
Congressional District in honoring and commending The Honorable Vivian 
Creighton Bishop for her outstanding career of public service and her 
many contributions to her community, her State and this nation. Best 
wishes to her as she enters this new chapter of her life.

                          ____________________