[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1010
                   MAY BEAM CONTINUE TO LIGHT THE WAY

  (Mr. Bean of Florida was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a beam is a ray of light, a symbol 
of hope. For more than 40 years, BEAM in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, 
has been that light, delivering hope and help to northeast Floridians 
in need.
  It started in 1985 by representatives of local churches who saw 
people needing a hand up.
  Today, I rise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Beaches Emergency 
Assistance Ministry, BEAM, a lifeline for families facing hardship in 
eastern Duval County, places like: Mayport, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune 
Beach, Atlantic Beach. From keeping the lights on to filling the 
pantry, supporting seniors and single parents, BEAM continues to show 
up with compassion and care.
  Mr. Speaker, I know what you are thinking. They are 40 years old, and 
they don't look a day over 29. That is true. What is also true is their 
volunteers and benefactors are everyday heroes, quietly providing 
critical services to thousands of neighbors each year.
  As our community has grown and changed, BEAM has remained a constant 
source of light, guiding families through tough times with warmth, 
direction, and hope.
  Today, we celebrate more than a milestone. We celebrate that ray of 
light that is never dimmed. May BEAM continue to shine, lighting the 
path forward for those who need it most for years to come.


              Honoring the Life of Carrol Eugene Franklin

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart but 
a grateful spirit to honor the life of my friend, Commissioner Carrol 
Eugene Franklin, who passed away peacefully in Hilliard, Florida, at 
the young age of 76.
  Born in Booneville, Mississippi, Carrol lived a life shaped by hard 
work, deep faith, and a quiet but profound dedication to others. He was 
a proud combat veteran who served in the U.S. Army's 9th Infantry 
Division during the Vietnam war.
  That same courage and resolve stayed with him throughout his life, 
whether it was in service to his country, in business, or in leadership 
with the Nassau County Ocean, Highway & Port Authority.
  Carrol was a man who showed up, not just when it was easy but when it 
was needed. He believed in faith, integrity, and perseverance. He loved 
his family dearly. For 42 years, he stood side by side with his beloved 
wife, Judy, raising their sons, Garrett and Greg. They also cherished 
their granddaughter, Diana Del.
  To his church and to his church family at First Baptist of Boulougne; 
his brothers and sisters; and his many friends, nieces, nephews, and 
neighbors who knew him, Carrol was the kind of man whose legacy is 
etched not in headlines but in the lives he lifted.
  Mr. Speaker, we say goodbye to a veteran, a man of character, a 
family man, and my friend. It hurts because that is the impact that 
Carrol made on so many.
  May his memory continue to inspire us all to serve with heart, live 
with purpose, and love without hesitation.

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