[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2403-H2404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF KEVIN ``CATFISH'' JACKSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, as you know, I come down here 
quite often. I consider this to be one of the great privileges that we 
have in Congress--to recognize people in our districts for the lives 
that they lived, for the achievements that they achieved.
  Some of them I know, and some of them I don't. All of them deserve to 
be recognized because all of them have done great things.
  Today, I come down to honor someone who was a dear friend.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of my dear 
friend, Kevin ``Catfish'' Jackson.
  Kevin grew up in Cartersville, Georgia. Those who knew him recognized 
his talent and motivated him to pursue a future in athletics and 
academics. He actually wanted to quit high school. He wanted to become 
a lineman for Georgia Power. His coaches saw his athletic ability and 
encouraged him to continue on, and he did. He will be remembered for, 
among many things, being a member of the 1980 University of Georgia 
National Championship football team. He played under Coach Vince Dooley 
and Coach Erk Russell.
  In fact, Coach Russell told the story about how he got his nickname, 
``Catfish.'' Some people say it was because the coach said he fought 
like a cat and drank like a fish. The coach also said that it might 
have been because, one day in practice, he was waddling around in the 
mud and looked like a catfish.
  Due to his dedication, teamwork, and love for the sport, he was voted 
by his teammates as co-captain for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1983. Later, 
he was selected by his coaches for the Coach Wally Butts award for 
``the player who pays the price,'' a title that recognized his 
willingness to sacrifice for others without any ends.
  After graduating with a degree in business education, Kevin moved to 
the city of Savannah, my hometown, and he became a very prominent 
businessman and a very important member of our community. He applied 
what he learned both in the classroom and on the field to his business 
ventures and earned a reputation for treating staff with the respect 
that he hoped to receive in return.
  His sales career started in 1985. He first worked as a salesman for 
the Georgia Fastener and Safety Company in Savannah. Then, he went on 
to serve as vice president of marketing at Scapa Group.
  In 1999, he founded his own business, EnviroVac Holdings, a company 
committed to environmental and industrial cleaning services. As 
president and CEO, he successfully expanded his company across the 
southeastern region of the Nation.

[[Page H2404]]

  Kevin was a man of many passions. He lived life like he was. He lived 
life big. He was known for giving his all in everything he worked on.
  He served as chairman of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. 
He served on the boards of directors for the Georgia Ports Authority, 
the Georgia Economic Development Authority, the lottery, and so much 
more.
  Despite his many obligations, he always looked out for his community, 
and his strong faith guided him to tirelessly serve others. He lent his 
talents to many wonderful organizations, including the Alzheimer's 
Association, Bethesda Academy, CASA, Leukemia Society, Cure for Cancer, 
Feed the Hungry, United Way, YMCA, and Savannah Christian Prep School.
  I would be remiss if I did not mention his involvement in the 
organization Band of Brothers. In fact, for a while, we met at his 
business. The Band of Brothers is a prayer group, a Bible study that 
meets every week on Friday mornings at 6:30. Kevin was a big part of 
getting that started.
  He was always there when you needed him, both in his career and his 
personal endeavors. His heart was always filled with gratitude, and his 
personality brought joy to all he met.
  More than anything, he loved his family. I loved following him on 
Instagram, seeing all the different posts that he would have enjoying 
his grandchildren. He even built them a zoo, practically a zoo, a farm 
with all the farm animals.
  Words cannot express the profound impact that Catfish has left on his 
community. He will be missed, but his career and service have created a 
legacy that will never be forgotten.
  The Savannah and broader Georgia community are praying for Kevin's 
family. His memory will live on in our hearts forever. We suffered a 
great void in our community with the loss of Kevin ``Catfish'' Jackson, 
but his memory will live on forever.

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