[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 51 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E279-E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF DEACON KENNETH FLORENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving 
father, a doting grandfather, dedicated community servant and committed 
man of God, Deacon Kenneth Florence. Sadly, Deacon Florence passed from 
labor to reward on March 13, 2024. A homegoing service to celebrate his 
remarkable life will be held on March 23, 2024, at the Second Mount 
Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.
  The genesis of the life of Deacon Florence began on November 13, 
1952, with his birth to the union of the late Bernard and Willard 
Florence in Clewiston, Florida. He was raised from birth by the late 
Georgian Fudge of Sanford, Florida.
  Deacon Florence was educated in the Florida Public School System 
where he graduated in 1972 from Seminole High School. After graduating 
from high school, he began his lifelong love of service by enlisting in 
the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1974.
  He relocated to what would become his second home, Albany, Georgia. 
He attended the ASU West Campus, formerly known as Darton College, 
before being employed at Proctor and Gamble for 27 years.
  At an early age he gave his life to Christ and joined Morning Glory 
Missionary Baptist Church. After his move to Albany, he joined Second 
Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Theodus Drake, 
Jr. Deacon Florence truly understood that you can only serve God by 
serving his people. Deacon Florence demonstrated his love for God by 
serving in various ministries at the church to include Sunday School 
Superintendent and as the head of the Security Deacons' Ministry, 
Executive Ministry, Transportation Ministry and several youth 
ministries.
  Deacon Florence also understood that his service and love for God had 
to extend beyond the church walls. His love for community was evident 
by his involvement in many social and civic organizations to include 
Albany Community Builders, the NAACP, Black Voters Matter, Keep Albany-
Dougherty Beautiful, SOWEGA Rising, the 26 Club, Masonic Lodge, Little 
League baseball coach and various other organizations. It has been said 
that ``Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy here on this 
Earth.'' Deacon Florence paid his rent and he paid it well. He never 
met a stranger and treated people how they deserved to be treated. Dr. 
George Washington Carver once said ``How far you go in life depends on 
your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, 
sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. 
Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.'' Deacon 
Kenneth Florence could interact with people from all walks of life and 
make them feel special. He was special and his legacy will live on 
through all the people and organizations that he touched in his special 
way.
  Deacon Florence accomplished so much in his life, but none of this 
would have been possible without the Grace of God and the love and 
support of his family, friends, and church members who will miss him 
dearly.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives 
to join my wife Vivian, and me, along with countless others in saluting 
and honoring Deacon Kenneth Florence for service to God and Humankind. 
We extend our deepest condolences to his Family, Friends, loved ones 
and all who mourn his loss. We pray that they all will be consoled

[[Page E280]]

and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, 
weeks, and months ahead.

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