[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 48 (Thursday, March 17, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E271-E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF BRIAN MAYES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH NORMAN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2022

  Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brian Mayes for 
his outstanding leadership and service.

[[Page E272]]

  Brian is a 1983 graduate of West Mecklenburg High School in 
Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he proudly served in the 
United States Air Force for four years. Following his military service, 
Brian spent twenty years as a very popular and highly regarded national 
gospel performer.
  Although Brian still sings, his career focus has since shifted to 
community service. For 20 years, he served as the Director of Family 
Life Outreach, an organization that does significant charitable work. 
In 2014, Brian became the Director of the Boys and Girls Club Jackson 
Teen Center in Camden where he is known as Mr. BB to many young people. 
The Center serves as a safe haven for kids after school and is open to 
all middle and high school students in Kershaw County. From athletics, 
to academics, to life skills and college preparation, the after-school 
center not only gives students a place to go, but a place to grow. 
Brian's wife and life partner, Roberta, also serves at the Jackson Teen 
Center. Fondly called ``Mom'' or ``Auntie Bertie'' by the teens, she 
leads the Job Readiness Training program.
  Under Brian's leadership, the Center has become one of the best 
attended programs of its kind in the entire country. Ninety percent of 
members go on to attend college or join the military upon graduation. 
During his time at the Center, Brian has developed numerous innovative 
programs. Some of these programs include ``Make it a Conversation,'' 
which enables young people to interact with community leaders and 
experts about topics of interest, and ``Jobs and Employability Training 
for Teens,'' which provides job skills, training, and internship 
experiences for high school students. Volunteers at the Center describe 
the incredible work Brian does as ``powerful.'' His colleagues 
recognize the ``hope, belief, and positivity'' he gives to his 
students.
  Brian has exceeded expectations in service to our state, highlighted 
by his receipt of numerous honors and accolades. For example, in 2016, 
Brian received the Leonard Price Award for Community Service. The 
following year, Brian was named ``Person of the Year'' by the Camden 
Chronicle-Independent and received the ``Delta Five Points of Purpose'' 
Award. He and his wife also received the WIS ``Community Builder'' 
Award.
  On behalf of the 5th District of South Carolina, it is my most 
sincere pleasure to recognize Brian for his outstanding leadership and 
lifelong service to our state. I wish him the best of luck throughout 
his future endeavors, as I am confident he will to continue to serve 
and find great success in all that he does.

                          ____________________