[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1299-E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING COUNCILOR EVELYN ``MIMI'' WOODSON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
dedicated public servant, community activist, trailblazer, and dear 
friend of longstanding to my wife, Vivian, and me, Councilor Evelyn 
``Mimi'' Woodson. She will be honored at an event on December 15, 2022, 
at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center for her 28 years as a 
member of the Columbus City Council.
  Councilor Woodson's story is truly the epitome of the American Dream. 
She was born in Manati, Puerto Rico and spent her formative years in 
New York and Chicago before her family eventually settled in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin.
  Because of her love of country, she joined the Wisconsin National 
Guard as a part time soldier before entering the United States Army 
where she served her country faithfully for 13 and a half years. During 
her distinguished military career, she was honored with the Good 
Conduct Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal.
  Councilor Woodson moved to Columbus in 1993 and immediately became 
involved in the community, establishing Kids and Things, a successful 
business that had as its focus the importance of youth in the community 
and civic engagement.
  Because of her love of her community and her belief that she could 
make a difference, Councilor Woodson offered herself as a candidate for 
the Columbus City Council. The voters of District 7 elected her, and 
she took her first oath of office on January 3, 1995. She made history 
by becoming the first Latino City Councilor in the history of Columbus, 
Georgia. She would be re-elected 6 more times because of the trust 
placed in her by her constituents.
  During her tenure in elective office, Councilor never lost sight of 
the importance of community and remained closely connected. She has 
been involved with many community organizations during her time on the 
City Council to include Columbus Against Drugs, Winterfield on the 
Move, American Red Cross, South Columbus Revitalization, Georgia 
Municipal Association, National League of Cities, Community 
Advancement, Hispanic Elected Officials (served as President), Georgia 
Association of Latino Elected Officials Board of Directors, Community 
Warriors, American Legion, and the Columbus Steam Center. Along with 
the late Harold ``Lefty'' Encarnacion, she was one of the driving 
forces behind the Tri City Latino Association's cultural festival in 
Columbus, Georgia that honors the significant role that Latinos have 
played in our country's rich history. The festival celebrated its 9th 
year in September.
  Because of her great work and advocacy in her community, Councilor 
Woodson has been honored with many awards during her public service to 
include: Keep Columbus Beautiful Litter Presentation Award, Perty 
Favorite City Leader Award; Ernestine Aurelia Mack Service to Mankind 
Award; the Rainbow Push Coalition Woman on the Rise Award; Women of 
Action, The Courier Community Service

[[Page E1300]]

Award; the Harold ``Lefty'' Encarnacion Community Service Award; the 
Dr. Ophelia Devore Young Unsung Hero Honors; Mundo Hispanic Atlanta 
Distinguish Person of the Year; The Panamanian Association of Columbus, 
Georgia Mother of the Year; William H. Spencer High School Generosity 
in Service; Spencerian Service Award; Davis Broadcasting Women of 
Excellence Award; Columbus Georgia Chapter of J.U.G.S. Women of Action 
Honoree; and she was a 2022 inductee into the Georgia Hispanic Chamber 
of Commerce Hall of Fame.
  Councilor Woodson has used her time on the Columbus City Council for 
good. She would always ask the questions that others were afraid to 
ask. During her time in office, she truly served as a voice to the 
voiceless and gave hope to the hopeless.
  It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space 
that we occupy here on this earth.'' Councilor Evelyn ``Mimi'' Woodson 
has paid her rent and she has paid it well.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and Me, along with the more than 730,000 people 
of the Second District in congratulating and commending Councilor 
Evelyn ``Mimi'' Woodson for her years of service to our country, state, 
and the Columbus City Council. May God continue to ``order the steps'' 
of her life as she embarks on her next journey.

                          ____________________