[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E919-E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING GEORGE E. ``TRIPP'' WADE, III

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving 
husband, dedicated father, gifted entrepreneur, and tireless community 
servant, George Emmett ``Tripp'' Wade, III. Sadly, Tripp passed away 
suddenly on August 31, 2022. A celebration of his remarkable life was 
held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at St. Paul United 
Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia.
  George Emmett ``Tripp'' Wade, III was born on September 8, 1959, in 
Savannah, Georgia, to the union of George Emmett ``Sonny'' Wade, Jr. 
and the late Gertrude (Trudy) Crockett Wade. ``Tripp'' graduated from 
the University of Georgia in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in 
Economics. He used his academic training and the experience gained in 
his formative years to run the family business, The Wade Companies, a 
linen and laundry company that was started by his grandfather in 1939 
and expanded by his father. Following school, Tripp returned home, 
working with his father and further expanded the family's 
entrepreneurial efforts to include ColorMac 2, Henri's Formal Wear, and 
HOOAHWEAR military apparel. Because of his extraordinary success in the 
dry cleaning and laundry industry,

[[Page E920]]

he was selected to be on the board of the Central States Corporation 
Network (CSC). This network represents all of the independent rental 
laundries in the United States and Canada.
  ``Tripp's'' life was more than just about running a successful 
business. He was about serving people and his community. With the 
breadth of his business acumen, he was a natural to spearhead economic 
development initiatives in the Chattahoochee Valley. His portfolio was 
vast and wide reflecting his gift of time and talent to numerous 
organizations including; Midtown, Inc. where he served a three year 
term as President; The Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce; The 
Columbus Sports Council; The Saint Francis Foundation; the Better 
Business Bureau; and the Summerwinds Condominium Association. While 
``Tripp'' was a natural leader, he was also a graduate of Leadership 
Georgia and Leadership Columbus. Dear to his heart, however was his 
association with the Columbus Rotary Club where he was a member for 32 
years, serving as the 2006-2007 President and later as the Foundation 
Chair.
  His life and career were built on relationships. He met people and 
judged them not by who they were when he met them, but who they could 
become. ``Tripp's'' own words cement this fact: ``From the beginning of 
my career, I learned the value of long-term relationships.'' He used 
the relationships that he built over his lifetime to make the world a 
better place for humankind.
  ``Tripp'' loved his family and they were the center of his life. None 
of his success would have been possible without the love and support of 
his wife of 30 years, Alice Skinner Wade, his devoted parents George 
Emmett ``Sonny'' Wade, Jr, and Gertrude (Trudy) Crockett Wade, as well 
as his three devoted sons, George Emmett Wade, IV, William Andrew Wade, 
and Wesley Crockett Wade.
  On a personal note, ``Tripp'' was my friend. Every time I interacted 
with him, he mentioned something that he felt would make the community 
better. He lived and breathed community service.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian; and me, 
along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional 
District, in honoring and commending the life and legacy of George 
Emmett ``Tripp'' Wade, III for a life well lived and in extending our 
deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who mourn his loss. 
May they be consoled and comforted by their faith and the Holy Spirit 
in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________