[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E556-E557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING ATTORNEY WILLIAM J. ``BILL'' WRIGHT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving 
husband, dedicated father, committed soldier, trailblazing attorney, 
benevolent community servant and dear friend of longstanding, Attorney 
William J. ``Bill'' Wright, Sr. Sadly, Bill transitioned from labor to 
reward on May 16, 2024. A celebration of his remarkable life will be 
held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Friendship Baptist Church in 
Columbus, Georgia.
  The dawning of the life of William Wright, Sr. began with his birth 
on March 4, 1940, to the union of Robert L. Wright, Sr., and Pauline 
Talley Wright. From an early age, Bill was instilled with traits that 
formed the foundation of his character--courage, compassion, intestinal 
fortitude and a love of God and family.
  A lifelong learner, Bill graduated from Spencer High School in 1958. 
He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education from 
Tennessee State University in 1963. During this time, Bill immersed 
himself in the Civil Rights Movement by participating in demonstrations 
and other activities that would cement his commitment to making 
something of himself and using his life's work in service to others.
  Following his graduation from Tennessee State, Bill answered the call 
to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army. He served 
two honorable years in the Army with two duty stations--Fort Benning 
(now Fort Moore) and Fort Ord in Monterrey, CA. Bill's service in the 
Army had a profound impact on his life by helping him to become more 
disciplined and determined to make a difference in the lives of others 
in pursuit of justice
  Stirred by his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, Bill's 
pursuit of justice took his journey to Atlanta's John Marshall Law 
School where he graduated in 1976 with a J.D.
  Bill returned to Columbus, Georgia to begin his storied legal career. 
Bill was committed to justice and was truly concerned about the 
dispensation of justice for those who would least likely benefit from 
its promise. During his career, Bill tried over 1,000 jury trials and 
was applauded for his tremendous contributions to the legal community. 
Bill also served with distinction as a Recorder's Court Judge in 
Muscogee County. His enduring legacy is being continued through the 
Wright Legal Group that he founded with his oldest daughter, Attorney 
Katonga Wright, in 2011.
  It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space 
that we occupy here on this earth.'' Bill paid his rent, and he paid it 
well. He used his life's work to empower others by being a voice for 
the voiceless and giving hope to the hopeless. Bill played an integral 
role in the founding of the Fountain City Bar Association that has as 
its mission the creation of camaraderie and support among African 
American lawyers in the Chattahoochee Valley. He was a Mason, a proud 
member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the 100 Black Men of 
America. Bill was committed to preparing the next generation of leaders 
to take up the mantle of leadership in the Chattahoochee Valley and 
beyond.
  Bill was committed to the study and preservation of history. Bill 
developed a passion for Civil War Reenactments with the 54th 
Massachusetts Union Army, the First Black Regiment to serve during the 
Civil War. Because of his commitment to history, he was appointed by 
the Secretary of the Interior to the Civil War Rites Advisory 
Commission in 1990.
  Bill was a man of faith. It was the essence of who he was as a 
person. He gave his life

[[Page E557]]

to Christ at an early age at Friendship Baptist Church. He was an 
original member of the Friendship Youth Organization (FYO). In later 
years, he joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he was a faithful 
member until his death. He served as an Elder at the church just as he 
served others during his life with excellence and compassion.
  On a personal note, Bill and his entire family have been dear friends 
to my wife Vivian and me for many years. We are so appreciative for his 
special friendship and for the wise counsel and advice that he imparted 
to us over the years. He never told us what we wanted to hear; he 
always told us what he felt we needed to hear.
  Bill accomplished much in his life but none of it would have been 
possible without the grace of God, the love and support of his devoted 
wife and ``Sweetie'', Jessie Godwin Wright; his loving children, 
William, Katonga, Kendra, and Kameese; his grandchildren, his cherished 
brother and best friend, Dr. Robert L. Wright, Jr., and many other 
family, loved ones and friends.
  Attorney William J. Wright touched countless lives. As an attorney, 
Judge, friend, history buff, husband, father, uncle, mentor, and 
activist he made an impact. We are better because of him.
  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 celebrating the extraordinary life of 
Attorney William J. ``Bill'' Wright, Sr. and in extending our deepest 
condolences to 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.

                          ____________________