[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 58 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               IN MEMORY OF THOMAS ``TOMMY'' DORTCH, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2023

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a 
great husband, loving father, doting grandfather, inspiring author, 
innovative entrepreneur, dedicated servant and friend of longstanding, 
Thomas ``Tommy'' Dortch, Jr. Sadly, Tommy transitioned from this life 
on February 15, 2023. His funeral service was held on Saturday, 
February 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church 
in Lithonia, Georgia. He leaves behind a legacy of service that will 
not soon be forgotten.
  Tommy Dortch was born on April 12, 1950, in Toccoa, Georgia to the 
union of Thomas W. Dortch, Sr. and Lizzie Mae Dortch. He graduated in 
1968 in the first racially integrated class of Whitman High School in 
Taccoa and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Fort 
Valley State College (now University) thereafter. While at Fort Valley, 
he distinguished himself by being elected Student Government 
Association President. Tommy would then go on to receive several post-
graduate degrees and fellowships, including a Master of Arts degree in 
Criminal Justice from Clark Atlanta University; a Ford Fellowship in 
the Urban Administration Program at Georgia State University; and 
Honorary Doctorates from Fayetteville State University, Jarvis 
Christian College, Fort Valley State University, University of Maryland 
Eastern Shore, and Livingstone College.
  After graduating from Fort Valley, Tommy nobly began his professional 
career by running voter registration drives to increase voter 
participation among groups who were historically disenfranchised. In 
1974, he began working as the Associate Director of the Georgia 
Democratic Party, and four years later began working for the office of 
Senator Sam Nunn, ultimately rising through the ranks to become the 
first African American State Director to serve in that capacity for a 
United States Senator.
  Always an activist, in 1986, Tommy joined the 100 Black Men of 
America, Inc., widely known as an organization that is focused on 
leadership, education, health and wellness, and youth mentoring. Tommy 
served as Chairman of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and served twice as 
the Chairman of the 100 Black Men of America's Board of Directors. His 
leadership was instrumental in transforming the organization as a 
powerful force for Black youth empowerment. Tommy was always looking 
for ways to help young people reach their full potential and in 1986, 
he founded the Black Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.--an 
organization that has awarded over $1.1 million in scholarships to the 
students of our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  After sixteen years of government service, Tommy left his position as 
State Director to pursue his own business interests, including minority 
and small business development and non-profit organizations. He served 
as the CEO of the consulting firm TWD, Inc. and the Atlanta 
Transportation Systems, Inc.; Chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Parking; 
and Managing Partner of FAD Consulting, LLC. He co-founded the Georgia 
Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME) to fill a void in the 
state as an-advocacy organization for minority business development. 
Tommy also co-founded the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance as a 
capacity building development organization for the construction and 
transportation industries.
  Tommy was a much sought-after speaker on both a national and 
international stage to governmental entities, corporations, and 
educational institutions. He also had many guest appearances on 
nationally acclaimed television programs to include The Oprah Winfrey 
Show, CNN, the National Press Club and C-SPAN to name a few.
  Because of his advocacy and commitment to community service, Tommy 
was recognized by several national and international publications to 
include the 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 May editions of Ebony Magazine 
and one of its 100 Influential African Americans. The Atlanta Business 
Chronicle included him as one of its 100 most influential Atlantans 
from 2001 through 2014. Also, Tommy received numerous awards for his 
service and advocacy for humankind to include 2008 Community Service 
Professional of the Year; 2008 FraserNet Community Service Award; 2008 
Global Leadership Empowerment Award; Atlanta Business Chronicle 50 Most 
Admired CEOs, and by the Atlanta Magazine as one of its 500 Most 
Influential Leaders.
  Tommy also gave his time, talent, and treasure to many community 
organizations to include Vice Chairman of the Board of Grady Memorial 
Corporation; Chairman of the Board, Friendship Force International; 
Chairman of the Board, Fulton/Dekalb County Hospital Authority; 
Chairman of the Board of the Atlanta Business League; Chairman of the 
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Board of Trustees, 
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University; Board of Trustees, 
Talladega College; and Board of Trustees, Clark Atlanta University.
  On a personal note, Tommy was a friend for many years and, along with 
his wife, Carole, supported my public service in countless ways. I was 
blessed with his sage advice and counsel over the years, and the world 
is a better place because of the life that he led,
  Jackie Robinson once said that ``a life isn't significant except for 
its impact on other lives.'' There is no doubt that the life of Thomas 
``Tommy'' Dortch, Jr. profoundly impacted countless others. He did so 
much for so many for so long.
  Tommy accomplished much in his life, but none of it would have been 
possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his wife, 
Carole, his five children and fourteen grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have known a man with as much grace, 
class, and dignity as Thomas ``Tommy'' Dortch, Jr. I ask my colleagues 
to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the nearly 765,000 people 
of the Second Congressional District in extending our deepest 
condolences to his family. May they be comforted by their faith, the 
grace of God, and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________