[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE OF GUSTAVOUS ``GUS'' HOLMES BELL III

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Gustavous ``Gus'' Holmes Bell III of Savannah, Georgia, who passed away 
on July 22 at the age of 86.
  Gus, known by many as Buster, was a dedicated, hardworking man who 
earned a degree in civil engineering from The Citadel before attending 
graduate school at the University of Kentucky.
  Gus was commissioned as a second lieutenant as a reserve commissioned 
officer in the U.S. Army. After assignments in Virginia, Texas, and New 
Mexico, Gus moved to Kentucky and was hired in an engineering role. Gus 
eventually landed in Savannah, Georgia, and was honorably discharged in 
1969. Gus was an engineer who was instrumental in establishing a 
partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
  In honor of Gus' contributions to the city, former mayor Eddie 
DeLoach declared August 11 as Gus H. Bell III Day in Savannah. Gus was 
also a founder of St. Andrews on the Marsh School in Savannah and a 
member of the First Presbyterian Church in Savannah.
  Gus was married for 42 years to his beloved wife, Mandy. After her 
passing, he was blessed to marry Jan Hall. He is survived by his three 
children, Lisa, Adair, and Holmes, as well as his grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren. We mourn his loss and keep him and his family in 
our prayers.
  On a personal note, he was one of my mentors who had a great deal to 
do with helping me and the city of Pooler and our tremendous growth 
that we experienced while I was mayor. I will forever be grateful for 
that.


                       Recognizing Ronald Cooper

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Officer Ronald Cooper, who heroically saved the life of a woman who was 
kidnapped in Brunswick, Georgia.
  On November 9, 2019, now-retired Glynn County police officer, Ronnie 
Cooper, responded to a kidnapping call on his police radio. A woman had 
been abducted from the daycare center where she worked. Bravely, the 
woman fought back against her attacker, allowing more time for Officer 
Cooper and the Glynn County Police Department to locate her. The 
assailant was forced to change his plans, and the brave folks at Glynn 
County PD were able to locate the victim.
  Against the clock and all odds, Officer Cooper and his partner, 
Officer Jeremy Stagner, successfully rescued the victim from the would-
be killer.
  Thanks to Officer Cooper, Officer Stagner, and all the brave law 
enforcement officers who work diligently to keep our communities safe 
from violence like this.


              Recognizing the Retirement of Freddy Howell

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of Bryan County Fire Chief Freddy Howell.
  Mr. Howell has had a wonderful 39-year career serving his community, 
and we are all better off for and will deeply miss his passionate 
service.
  During his time of public service for Bryan County, Mr. Howell led 
his department in various cleanup efforts and oversaw the expansion of 
the fire department.
  He led the cleanup for a tornado in north Bryan that damaged many 
parts of our community, and Mr. Howell secured several grants that grew 
his department's team from 36 to over 100 firefighters.
  The fire department also acquired new equipment, ambulances, and 
tankers under Mr. Howell's leadership. With his passion for aiding 
others, Mr. Howell greatly enhanced Bryan County's emergency response 
capabilities.

  Following his retirement from the Bryan County Fire Department, Mr. 
Howell plans to join the private sector as a customer relationship 
manager.
  I am grateful for Mr. Howell's impactful public service to Bryan 
County and the First District of Georgia.


                 Remembering Richard ``Dick'' Berkowitz

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I 
rise today to mourn the loss of Richard ``Dick'' Berkowitz, who sadly 
passed away this August at the age of 91 years old. He was a dear, dear 
friend.
  After attending the Georgia Military Academy, Dick pursued a graduate 
degree at the Wharton School of Business. Dick proudly served in the 
United States Marine Corps and was stationed in France with the Army 
Finance Corps.
  Mr. Berkowitz also had a 42-year-long career in investment banking 
and as a stockbroker. His career was marked with success as he was the 
youngest general partner ever at a Wall Street firm in 1967.
  In addition to his military service and professional career, Dick 
will be remembered for expressing his outspoken political beliefs 
through writing candid memos and his involvement in the Savannah, 
Georgia, community.
  Dick's legacy will surely be carried on by his wife, Lynn, and his 
five beloved children.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the Berkowitz family, Dick's 
friends, and every person he impacted throughout his wonderful life.
  We will miss Dick. I will miss my friend Dick. God bless him.

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