[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E238-E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE DAVID E. LUCAS AND THE HONORABLE ELAINE 
                             HUCKABEE LUCAS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 11, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor two distinguished public servants, community leaders, and dear 
friends of longstanding, Georgia State Senator David E. Lucas and 
Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elaine Huckabee Lucas. Their collective service 
of over more than six decades to the people of Macon-Bibb, the State of 
Georgia and humankind was recognized on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 5:00 
p.m. during a community celebration at the Saint Peter Missionary 
Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia.
  State Senator David E. Lucas was born to the union of the late David 
Lucas and Beatrice Poole Lucas, both educators on April 23, 1950 in 
Byron, Georgia. He graduated from Lanier High School in Bibb County in 
1968 and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from 
Tuskegee University, attended Atlanta Law School in 1980, and has been 
awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Mercer University Medical 
School. At Tuskegee, he was on the 1971 SIAC Championship football team 
and after graduation in 1973, he returned home to Macon. In 1974, he 
was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, becoming the 
youngest member of that body. He has tirelessly represented Bibb County 
and Middle Georgia in both the Georgia House and State Senate for 
almost 50 years, becoming the most senior member.
  Throughout his career Senator Lucas has fought for civil rights, 
voting rights and equal opportunity. He championed policies that uplift 
Georgia's seniors and improve healthcare access and outcomes in urban 
and rural communities. In the General Assembly, he has served on 
committees crucial to the economic development and wellbeing of our 
state, including Insurance, Energy, Utilities, Telecommunication, 
Appropriations and Transportation. I was blessed to serve with him for 
16 years and can say without reservation, that there is no one who 
knows how to leverage the inner workings of state government for his 
constituents better than State Senator David Lucas.
  In addition to his public service, Senator Lucas is a self-employed 
independent Insurance Agent and owner of TBL Inc., an entertainment 
promotions business. He has been a social studies teacher, football, 
basketball, and tennis coach; owner of the Macon Chiefs semi-
professional football team and the Georgia Titans basketball team; and 
a charter member of the 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia. He has 
been married to the love of his life, Commissioner Elaine Huckabee 
Lucas for more than 47 years and reared four children--David, Jr., 
Aris, Leonard and Albert (deceased) with 13 grandchildren and five 
great-grandchildren.

[[Page E239]]

  Commissioner Elaine Huckabee Lucas is a lifelong resident of Macon 
and the wife of Senator David Lucas. She is and has been his support 
and helpmate throughout their marriage, keeping him grounded during his 
numerous career and life pursuits. But, this ``Queen'' of East Macon is 
a monumental public servant in her own right. Born to the union of Ella 
Appling Huckabee and Leonard Huckabee, she graduated from Miller Senior 
High School, completed work in English at Macon Junior College and 
received her BS Degree, Magna Cum Laude from Savannah State College in 
Elementary Education. She earned a Master's Degree from Fort Valley 
State University and an Education Specialist Degree from Georgia 
College and State University. She is certified in early childhood 
education, middle grades, data collection and counseling. She taught 
elementary school for 18 years, was an elementary and high school 
counselor for 12 years, coordinated counseling and advisement for the 
Bibb County Teen Parent Center for 5 years, and after retirement, was 
counselor, graduation specialist and community service coordinator at 
the Hutching Career Center for 8 years.
  First elected to the Macon City Council in 1983, Commissioner Lucas 
has continued her uninterrupted elective service, making history as the 
first female commissioner of the Macon-Bibb Consolidated Government. 
She has served on key committees including Community Resources and 
Development; Appropriations; and Employee Development and Compensation. 
She served as President, Vice President and Treasurer of the Georgia 
Association of Black Elected Officials; The Macon Bibb Board of Health; 
Martin Luther King Commission; Cemetery Preservation Board; and the 
Recreation Planning Committee. Her prolific record portrays a champion 
for voting rights, civil rights and equal access to services for all 
citizens. She is a founding member and first president of the Bibb 
County Voter Registration and Education League, member of NAACP, SCLC, 
Bibb County Democratic Executive Committee, and Golden Life Member of 
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  In 2011, she opened EL High School Academy where over 1,800 school 
dropouts have reentered school and earned their high school diplomas. 
She is a 40-year blood donor, organ donor, and runs E. Lucas Consulting 
and Lenny's Handy Services in partnership with her son, Lenny.
  Commissioner Elaine Lucas and Senator David Lucas are indeed a power 
couple and truly icons in the Middle Georgia area. Active members of 
Steward Chapel AME Church, they are indeed persons of faith. Moreover, 
they are my trusted friends of longstanding for over 50 years. It has 
been said that ``You make your living by what you get. You make your 
life by what you give!'' David and Elaine Lucas have truly made their 
lives by giving so much to so many for so long.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the 765,000 people of 
Georgia's Second Congressional District in recognizing and honoring the 
careers, service and legacies of State Senator David E. Lucas and 
Commissioner Elaine Huckabee Lucas. To God be the glory for the things 
they have done in support of humanity.

                          ____________________