[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H336-H337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING KEN DUKE

  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 to reflect upon the 
career of Ken Duke, a professor in the College of Pharmacy at the 
University of Georgia.
  Ken has, for 37 years, served our future pharmacists invaluably as 
they venture into their careers. Ken has helped develop and foster in 
his students a passion for our field that is the distribution of 
lifesaving medicines.
  Ken graduated from the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy in 
1977 and began his career at the University of Georgia in 1985. Since 
that time, Ken has tirelessly and selflessly worked to educate and 
mentor future pharmacists of America.
  Ken's spirit and drive for this occupation is something that he has 
instilled in his students for nearly four decades. In the later years 
of his career, Ken served as the acting assistant dean for the Pharmacy 
College's expansion campus in Savannah, which he helped found.
  In his retirement, Ken is excited to be living on the coast and by 
the water, as well as spending time in Athens for Georgia football 
games and, hopefully, another Georgia National Championship.
  Ken's service has been remarkable. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ken and wish 
him a blessed retirement.


                   Honoring James Mathews Blitch, Sr.

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Jimmy 
Blitch, Sr., a veteran and a remarkable Georgian.
  Jimmy was born in Savannah in 1933, the eldest of three children, and 
spent most of his early life in the city, eventually moving to 
Statesboro to farm Blitch Place, where he found his love for farming.
  Jimmy then went on to graduate high school and attend the University 
of Georgia at only 15 years old, where he graduated with honors. Most 
15-year-olds can barely handle the stress of high school, let alone 
college, but Jimmy was not like most people.
  Upon graduating, Jimmy entered the U.S. Army as a marksman, spending 
his time between Fort Jackson and Fort Benning, eventually being 
honorably discharged from the service as a second lieutenant.
  After returning to his hometown in Statesboro, Jimmy would meet the 
love of his life, Patricia Brannen, getting married in 1958.
  They built their lives on Blitch Place Farms, raising three daughters 
and a son.
  Thankfully, Jimmy was able to see the University of Georgia win their 
third National Championship before his passing.
  A loving father and husband, an outdoorsman, an honorable veteran, 
and fellow Georgia sports fan, Jimmy is sure to be missed.

                              {time}  1030


            Recognizing Griff Lynch as Georgian of the Year

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Georgia 
Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch for being named Georgia 
Trend's 2022 Georgian of the Year.
  Griff is a graduate from Maritime College in New York, which led him 
to work in the maritime industry for 34 years and eventually our 
Georgia

[[Page H337]]

ports. Lynch took the helm of our Nation's busiest ports in Savannah 
and Brunswick, and in doing so, has faced some of the hardest 
challenges in his career.
  With the breakout of COVID-19, the Savannah and Brunswick ports were 
hit hard. But it was Lynch's steady hand that steered them through 
these turbulent times. If you got your Christmas gifts on time this 
year, Griff Lynch probably had something to do with it.
  He has overseen multiple expansion and enhancement projects in the 
area, allowing our ports to stay ahead of the increasing demand. And 
through Lynch's efforts, our ports have seen a 20 percent increase in 
volume, meaning nearly 900,000 additional containers are coming to the 
area. This means more jobs, innovation, and growth for Georgia's First 
District. His experience, guidance, and ability to push the envelope 
has made him an excellent leader for our ports and a perfect recipient 
of the Georgian of the Year Award.

                          ____________________