[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 176 (Tuesday, November 15, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF DAVID RALSTON

  (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 the 
leadership and service of David Ralston, who recently announced that he 
would be ending his tenure as Speaker of the Georgia State House of 
Representatives.
  David has been Speaker since 2010 and has overseen some of the most 
historic legislative accomplishments in our State's history.
  He attended Young Harris College and North Georgia College, where he 
earned his bachelor's degree with honors. He then went on to graduate 
from the University of Georgia School of Law. An attorney by trade, 
Speaker Ralston started his career in public service in 1992 when he 
was elected to the Georgia State Senate.
  In 2002, David was elected to the Georgia State House of 
Representatives and was chosen as Speaker in 2010. During his term as 
Speaker, he presided over the enactment of landmark legislation, 
including the State's first-ever income tax cut in 2018.
  In the wake of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, he led the effort to 
create and pass the State's hate crime law. Earlier this year, he was 
one of the greatest proponents of the legislation, saying that this 
bill was his ``only priority'' for 2022. The bill was a complete revamp 
of the State's mental health care services and passed with unanimous 
support.
  He has been heralded as fair, thoughtful, and level-headed by those 
on both sides of the aisle. While he will still serve in the Georgia 
State House of Representatives, his presence on the dais will be 
missed.
  A committed public servant, statesman, and a dear friend, I thank 
David Ralston for his leadership and for being a great suitemate when 
we served together in the Georgia State House of Representatives.

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