[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 135 (Friday, August 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. EARL TILLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 12, 2022

  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend 
Mr. Earl Tillman, an accomplished business and community leader, 
civilian flight instructor, and long-time member of the Georgia Wing of 
the Civil Air Patrol.
  Mr. Tillman has been an icon of the Rome and Floyd County community 
for decades. As an avid aviation enthusiast, he has operated the 
Tillman Aviation University at Richard. B Russell Regional Airport in 
Rome for over twenty-five years and has made countless contributions to 
the operations and advancement of the airport. As a long-time member of 
the Civil Air Patrol myself, as well as being a fellow aviator, I can 
personally attest to Mr. Tillman's unwavering dedication to the airport 
and the entire community.
  Hailing from Pierce County, Georgia, Earl graduated from Mt. Berry 
School for the Boys in 1952. He later attended Jacksonville University 
and the University of Florida. After college, Earl proudly served our 
nation in the United States Army. Mr. Tillman then returned to the 
private sector where he took a position at State Mutual Insurance, 
until 1999, when he returned to his alma-mater, Mt. Berry School, to 
serve as Special Assistant to the President.
  Outside of his professional careers, Mr. Tillman's passion has been 
to share his knowledge of aviation, especially to the youth of the 
community. When my family served as volunteers in the Civil Air Patrol, 
Mr. Tillman gave my daughter her first official flight lesson. 
Throughout the years, Mr. Tillman has used his passion, knowledge, and 
experience in aviation to serve others. As an influential member of the 
Civil Air Patrol for more than fifty years, he conducted numerous 
aerial search-and-rescue missions, as well as teaching aviation and 
leadership skills to young cadets and adult volunteers. He also worked 
with local Boy Scout Troops to help young men earn their aviation merit 
badges and inspire them to serve their communities.
  The impact Mr. Tillman has had on this community is immeasurable, 
from the number of people he helped to pursue careers in aviation, to 
his service as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church, he has touched, 
encouraged, and inspired so many.
  His selfless dedication and commitment to Rome, Floyd County, and the 
state of Georgia, have made our community and state better and 
stronger. I am happy to call him a friend; and, on behalf of all 
Georgians, and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am 
honored to acknowledge and thank him for his lifetime of service.

                          ____________________