[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H1315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOEL WILLIAMS

  (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor the life of Joel Williams.
  Joel was born December 19, 1942, in the family farm kitchen in 
Dacula, Georgia. Unlike many children nowadays, Joel grew up without 
electricity and indoor plumbing, learning to read by kerosene lamps.
  His drive and determination revealed themselves early as he earned 
valedictorian honors at Dacula High School and graduated magna cum 
laude from Shorter College. He then went on to attend Walter F. George 
School of Law at Mercer University where he was the first honor 
graduate of the class of 1967.
  Joel began his legal career as an assistant attorney general of the 
State of Georgia under Arthur K. Bolton. He then left Washington for 
Savannah in 1971 to become vice president and chief compliance officer 
for Savannah Foods and Industries. During this time, he met his wife of 
25 years, M'Liss Gurney Williams, and had two beautiful daughters.
  Joel committed his life to political and community service. Through 
all of his achievements, Joel was most proud of his daughters and 
grandchildren. Joel was a loving and devoted father. The children he 
raised and grandchildren he loved will forever remember the man Joel 
was throughout his life.

                          ____________________