[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 208 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DR. MAXINE O'DELL GERNERT

                                 ______
                                 

                 HON. CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2021

  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Maxine 
O'Dell Gernert of Athens, Tennessee and recognize a lifetime of service 
to her community and our nation. Dr. Gernert retires from my 
Congressional staff today.
  Dr. Gernert obtained a BS in Education from the University of 
Tennessee and subsequently earned a Masters of Divinity from the Church 
of God School of Theology and a Doctorate of Ministries from Columbia 
Theological Seminary.
  Dr. Gernert is an ordained minister, has taught at Lee University, 
and has spoken internationally for chaplain training. She performed 
Clinical Pastoral Education training in hospitals and was interim 
director and chaplain for the Serenity Women's Shelter in Knoxville, 
TN.
  Maxine has been married to Dr. John N. Gernert for over 50 years, and 
the two have three children and seven grandchildren.
  Maxine has been a pillar of public life in East Tennessee for over 30 
years. She served as the Area 2 President for the National Federation 
of Republican Women and as Chairman for the McMinn County Republican 
Party for two terms.
  Dr. Gernert was recognized as the Tennessee GOP Stateman of the Year 
for District 2 in 2005 and received the Lincoln Award from the McMinn 
County Republican Party in 2016. She was awarded the Extraordinary 
Leaders prize from the American Association of Physician Specialties in 
2017.
  For the past twelve years, Maxine has worked as Field Representative, 
first in Tennessee's Second Congressional District for Congressman 
Jimmy Duncan, and since 2013 on my staff in Tennessee's Third 
Congressional District. In this role, she has tirelessly served our 
great East Tennessee community helping countless individuals by 
providing constituent services.
  Dr. Maxine Gernert has been an asset to East Tennessee and to me. 
Always positive and assertive, she has had a tremendous impact on all 
those fortunate enough to know her. I will treasure my time spent with 
Maxine and know we will continue to cross paths in the many ways she 
remains engaged in our communities. I wish her all the best in a well-
deserved retirement.
  God bless Maxine.

                          ____________________