[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14818-14819]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF GARY LAMAR ``SPARKY'' REEVES

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
distinguished educator and the bulwark of South Georgia Technical 
College, President Gary Lamar ``Sparky'' Reeves. A retirement 
celebration in honor of President Reeves was held on Wednesday, 
September 23, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the John M. Pope Industrial 
Technology Center on the campus in Americus, Georgia.
  A native of Thomaston, Georgia, Mr. Reeves worked in the sales 
industry prior to his career at South Georgia Technical College. He 
arrived at the College in 1973 and worked in multiple capacities as an 
instructor, supervisor, and Vice President of Economic Development. 
While serving as an instructor, he taught accounting, business, and 
business psychology.
  His loyalty and performance spoke volumes, resulting in Mr. Reeves' 
ultimately being appointed to serve as President of South Georgia 
Technical College in 2004. Under his leadership, the college has 
expanded to offer more than 150 associate degrees and increased 
enrollment exponentially, reaching the high mark of 4,000 students by 
2011.
  His ambitions extended beyond improving the academic credentials of 
the school. Accordingly, President Reeves strove to improve the 
facilities on campus as well, renovating the tennis courts, gymnasium, 
and the Diesel Technology and Automotive Transportation buildings. He 
also oversaw the planting of more than 500 stately live oak trees in 
order to beautify the campus.
  Combining his educational background with his acute business savvy, 
President Reeves has cultivated business partnerships with industrial 
titans, including Georgia Power, John Deere, and Kauffman Tire. All 
this was done with an eye toward providing students with prime 
opportunities to delve into the corporate world. He has also played a 
vital role in arranging scholarships for students by partnering with 
other colleges such as Georgia Southwestern State University in 
Americus, Georgia to form a scholarship foundation.
  President Reeves has been recognized and commended time and time 
again for his service to his community. He was named as ``Boy Scout 
Distinguished Leader of the Year'' and ``Americus and Sumter County 
Volunteer of the Year,'' among many other accolades. In addition, 
President Reeves will be the first sitting technical college president 
to be granted the distinction of ``President Emeritus.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing an 
esteemed educator and

[[Page 14819]]

principled leader, President Gary Lamar ``Sparky'' Reeves. While many 
will lament President Reeves' retirement, it should be noted, however, 
that his long service to the College merits a much-deserved rest. 
Thanks to his tireless leadership, and high expectations for his 
beloved College, President Sparky Reeves will leave an unparalleled 
legacy at South Georgia Technical College from which countless 
generations will benefit. May God continue to bless Sparky Reeves and 
his family as he transitions to the next chapter of his remarkable 
life.

                          ____________________