[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16454]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONORABLE A. WALLACE CATO

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to an exceptional 
public servant and outstanding leader, Chief Judge Anthony Wallace 
Cato, on the occasion of his retirement from the South Georgia Judicial 
Circuit in Bainbridge, Georgia.
  A. Wallace Cato was born on February 6, 1938 in Decatur County, 
Georgia to the late John Ebb Cato and Edna Stegall Cato. A Georgia man 
through and through, he has lived in Bainbridge his entire life. He 
attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a bachelor's 
degree in 1960 and a law degree in 1964.
  In 1966, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives but 
he resigned in November 1969 to take office as District Attorney for 
the South Georgia Judicial Circuit. He served as District Attorney, 
prosecuting crimes in Southwest Georgia, until 1978.
  Judge Cato resigned as District Attorney in 1978 and was appointed as 
Superior Court Judge for the South Georgia Judicial Circuit in a newly 
added seat. He served as Judge under Chief Judge Robert Culpepper, Jr., 
until December 15, 1982 when Judge Culpepper retired. At that time, 
Judge Cato became Chief Judge and he has maintained that position 
since.
  Chief Judge Cato was a member of the Council of Superior Court Judges 
and served as Secretary and Treasurer in 1983-1984 under President 
Judge Emory Findley. Chief Judge Cato succeeded Judge Findley as the 
President of the Council in 1984-1985.
  Chief Judge Cato also served as an Administrative Judge of the Second 
Judicial Administrative District for two terms: 1986 through 1988 and 
2002 through 2006. As Administrative Judge, he served on the Executive 
Committee of the Council during these time periods.
  Throughout his career, Chief Judge Cato has been recognized for his 
commitment and leadership on the bench. This year, he received the 5th 
Annual Emory Findley Award for Outstanding Judicial Service from the 
Council of Superior Court Judges. Always a mentor to those around him, 
Chief Judge Cato possesses the rare quality of humble leadership.
  After retirement, Chief Judge Cato will enjoy spending time with his 
wife, Sadie; their three children, Karen, Wally, and Nancy; and six 
grandchildren. Chief Judge Cato has accomplished much in his life, but 
none of it would be possible without the love and support of the family 
he cherishes so dearly.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our 
sincerest appreciation and best wishes to the Honorable A. Wallace Cato 
upon the occasion of his retirement from an outstanding career spanning 
38 years as a Judge for the South Georgia Judicial Circuit.

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