[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHN W. MIXON

  (Mr. FERGUSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable 
Georgian, Mr. John W. Mixon. Mr. John has made almost an immeasurable 
impact on the State of Georgia.
  After graduating from the University of Georgia, Mr. John went to 
work in the timber industry for the Great Southern Paper Company and 
then worked for the Georgia Forestry Commission.
  For the next 34 years, John Mixon played the leading role in turning 
Georgia into the number one State in America for forestry. His work was 
both visionary and comprehensive.
  Starting as a technician and rising to the director of the 
commission, he worked tirelessly toward his goal of making the Georgia 
forest industry into what it is today.
  He started the Reforestation Commission that was responsible for 
planting a world record 600,000 acres of pine trees. He established 
Georgia's first forestry museum, an educational forest, and the Georgia 
Tree Coalition, which planted thousands of trees in the 1996 Olympic 
venues throughout the State.
  John served and held leadership positions in numerous professional 
and civic organizations and received the Soil Conservationist of the 
Year award from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
  Mr. Speaker, perhaps the highest recognition of his professional 
contribution was receiving the Wise Owl Award from the Georgia Forestry 
Association. This significant achievement was well earned and deserved.
  As a result of Mr. John Mixon's vision and hard work, literally 
thousands of Georgians work in the timber industry, and the industry 
has massively impacted the economic well-being of Georgia.
  Just as importantly, Georgia's environment is better off, and the 
timber industry is environmentally sustainable. We all owe Mr. John 
Mixon a debt of gratitude for making our world a much better place.

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