[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 133 (Friday, August 4, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E754-E755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THOMAS (TOMMY) CHRISTOPHER CHATMON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.-

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 2023

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize, a 
dedicated servant leader, seasoned business executive, faithful civil 
rights activist, great strategic thinker, loving husband, committed 
father, and friend of longstanding, Thomas (Tommy) Christopher Chatmon, 
Jr. Sadly, Tommy transitioned this life from labor to reward on July 
22, 2023. A homegoing service celebrating his remarkable life will be 
held on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist 
Church in Albany, Georgia.
  Thomas (Tommy) Chistopher Chatmon, Jr was born in Albany, Georgia, on 
December 19, 1954, the third of 5 children to the late Thomas C. 
Chatmon, Sr., and Alma Chatmon. Raised in a God-fearing family, he 
became a member of Bethel AME Church, where he was a lifelong member 
and sang in the choir. His first fruits of education came as a student 
at the Hazard Laboratory School for Primary Education and St. Teresa's 
Catholic School in Albany. Tommy was also a product of the Dougherty 
County School System, graduating from Albany High School in 1972. Tommy 
made history while at Albany High School, becoming the marching band's 
first African American drum major. His love of music continued, and he 
delayed college after graduating with honors to travel with a band 
called Eden from 1968 to 1974.
  In 1974, Tommy followed in his father's footsteps by attending our 
Alma Mater, Morehouse College. He graduated from Morehouse in 1979 with 
a bachelor's degree in political science. One of Tommy's proudest 
moments at Morehouse was when he was selected to serve as a U.S. 
Congressional Intern, in the office of United States Congresswoman 
Cardiss Hortense Collins.
  After graduating from Morehouse, Tommy returned to his hometown roots 
in Albany to operate a family-owned business, Chatmon's Beauty Supply, 
Inc. He was a great strategic entrepreneur and as Chief Operating 
Officer for 17 years, he helped grow the family business to 10 retail 
locations in 4 different states.

[[Page E755]]

Tommy's professional career also took him to work as the District 
Manager for the Georgia Census Bureau in 1980. In 1984, he was the 
Campaign Manager for Standup Strain's bid for Dougherty County Sheriff. 
Tommy cemented his bonafides during this time as a deeply respected 
political figure and social activist, once again following in the 
footsteps of his father; who had been active in the Albany Civil Rights 
Movement.
  In 1998, when leaders in Albany decided to revitalize the city's 
downtown area by forming Albany Tomorrow, Inc., Tommy was selected to 
serve as its Executive Director. Forever a visionary and forward 
thinker, he was able to bring people and projects together for downtown 
to include the Hilton Garden Inn, The Flint River Aquarium, The Ray 
Charles Plaza, Turtle Grove Park, SKATE Park, The Albany Law 
Enforcement Center and Police Headquarters, Department of Human 
Resources Administrative Building, The Central Square, The Science 
Discovery Children's Museum, parking garages for the downtown business 
district, and The Dougherty County School Board Administrative 
Building. Tommy's proudest moment as the Executive Director was the 
groundbreaking of the Albany Civil Rights Institute, which tells the 
story of Albany's prominent role in the modern-day Civil Rights 
Movement. As his good friend Glenn Singfield put it, ``There wouldn't 
be an Albany today without Albany Tomorrow, and there wouldn't have 
been an Albany Tomorrow without Tommy Chatmon.''
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ``Faith is sometimes taking 
the first step without seeing the full staircase.'' In 2007, Thomas 
took a step on faith with the lessons he learned in his stint with 
Albany Tomorrow carrying his creative talents to Orlando, Florida, 
where the mayor appointed him as Executive Director of the Downtown 
Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency. In this role, Tommy 
oversaw economic development for the Community Redevelopment Agency. He 
played a crucial role in achieving some of downtown Orlando's premier 
development in retail and business recruitment, marketing and special 
events programming, and housing development within the Community 
Redevelopment Area to include:
  The Amway Center, The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 
Sun Rail, Chase,' Plaza, Church Street Plaza, Citi Tower, Creative 
Village, 55 West, and many more.
  It has been said that ``service is the rent that we pay for the space 
that we occupy here on this earth.'' Tommy Chatmon paid his rent, and 
he paid it well. He gave his time, talent, and treasure to numerous 
social and civil organizations, serving as Chair of Homeless Service 
Network of Central Florida Board, and the Starter Studio Board, The 
International Downtown Association (IDA), Nap Ford Community School, 
MyRegion.ORG, WMFW Community Advisory Board, and the Central Florida 
Urban League Board.
  Tommy has been honored for his dedicated Community service to include 
Orlando's ``10 Businessmen to Watch'' and Orlando Magazine's ``50 Most 
Powerful People'', Georgia Trend Magazine's 100 Most Influential 
Georgians, Martin Luther King Celebration Leadership Award, and the 
Leadership Albany Outstanding Alumni Award.
  Tommy accomplished much in his life, but none of it would have been 
possible without the grace of God, the love and support of his 
elementary school sweetheart, his beloved wife Brenetta, and his three 
children, Yvonne, Brittany, and Cory.
  On a personal note, Tommy was my friend, my Morehouse brother, and 
longtime supporter. Over the years, he gave me wise counsel, for which 
I will be forever grateful. Likewise, during his life, Tommy did so 
much for so many for so long. He touched countless lives, and because 
he did, the world is a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, along 
with the 765,000 people of the 2nd Congressional District, in extending 
our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Thomas Christopher 
Chatmon, Jr., his family, friends, and all who mourn his loss. May we 
all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit 
in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________