[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1534-H1535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF JONES HOOK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of Mr. Jones Hooks, the longest serving executive director 
of the Jekyll Island Authority.
  Mr. Hooks' 15 years of service to the people of Jekyll Island will 
never be forgotten. When he became the executive director in 2008, the 
island was in economic trouble, with many of its facilities operating 
at a deficit.
  To fix this problem, and many others plaguing the island, the 
authorities on Jekyll proposed multiple goals, such as revitalizing 
Jekyll's facilities, establishing a credible conservation effort, and 
partnering with the private sector on certain efforts the Jekyll Island 
Authority could not handle alone.
  Mr. Hooks achieved every goal put forth by island leadership. Thanks 
to his efforts and leadership, Jekyll Island is a thriving community, a 
hallmark of conservation efforts, a tourism location enjoyed by many, 
and much more.
  I thank Mr. Hooks, once again, for his service, and I hope he has a 
restful retirement.


     Recognizing 25th Anniversary of Belfast/Good Friday Agreement

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to 30 
years of conflict in Northern Ireland.
  The conflict, known as The Troubles, resulted in the deaths of 
hundreds of people. The conflict saw families, friends, and neighbors 
turn on each other. It saw political discourse become replaced by 
violence and bloodshed.
  Despite the viciousness and length of the conflict, all parties 
involved, with U.S. diplomatic support, managed to come to an agreement 
to end it.

                              {time}  1030

  Now, 25 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the 
Emerald Isle remains more peaceful and more prosperous than before the 
historic agreement. I applaud the commitment to peace by leaders on 
both sides of the Irish Sea.
  I also applaud the recent Windsor Framework, which managed to 
preserve the principles of the Good Friday Agreement while also holding 
true to the requirements of Brexit.
  As Americans, we should look to the Good Friday Agreement as hope 
that despite our differences, we can come together to solve problems, 
and we can work together as one team to make our country great.


               Celebrating the Life of Charlene Saunders

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of Charlene Saunders, a loving mother, wife, and educator in the 
Savannah community.
  Charlene and her husband, Bill, moved to Savannah in 1958 to 
establish the athletic program at the Savannah Country Day School.
  During her 31 years at Country Day, Charlene served as the head coach 
of girls' basketball, girls' track, and the cheerleading team, and she 
oversaw the PE department.
  While Charlene's teams amassed winning records, she is remembered for 
her strong bond with her athletes and as a model of integrity, grace, 
spirit, and grit. In 1982, Saunders Gym was named in her honor.
  Charlene and Bill Saunders were fixtures at all student events and 
were held in such high regard by the student body that they received 
two yearbook dedications and were also named the honorable homecoming 
king and queen.
  Her legacy continues to impact generations of students. She will be 
dearly missed by all who knew her.


                     Recognizing Leroy Chapman, Jr.

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leroy 
Chapman, Jr., for being named the new editor-in-chief at the Atlanta 
Journal-Constitution.
  A veteran of the Navy, he has been a journalist for 28 years, 
originally coming from South Carolina. Leroy currently serves as the 
managing editor and has been with the AJC since 2011.
  Over the course of his 27-year career, he has also worked as a 
columnist and editorial writer, a business reporter, and a college 
sports reporter.
  During his career, he has helped cover a number of high-profile 
stories, including the 2020 election results and the court cases of 
teachers and administrators charged in the Atlanta Public Schools 
cheating scandal.
  Leroy will be the AJC's first Black editor-in-chief in the 
newspaper's 155-year history.
  I congratulate Leroy on this wonderful honor. I look forward to his 
continued success at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  By the way, this comes from another Leroy.

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