“I want to wish Darlyn Martin of Richmond Hill, Georgia, a happy 100th birthday.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish Darlyn Martin of Richmond Hill, Georgia, a happy 100th birthday. Dar celebrated the milestone with a surprise party at Magnolia Manor Senior Living Facility. She was surrounded by friends, family, fellow residents, Richmond Hill Mayor Christie Cox, a DJ, cake, balloons, presents, and dancing. When asked for her secret to a long and happy life, Dar credited staying active and never backing down from a new challenge. Her birthday also marks what would have been her wedding anniversary with her late husband, a reminder of the family she built in our community. As she looks ahead to her second century, Dar’s wish is simple: that things look brighter for everybody in the future. Georgia’s First District is fortunate to call Dar Martin a neighbor, and I join her family, friends, and the entire Magnolia Manor community in wishing her a very, very happy 100th birthday. Honoring Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled”

“I am congratulating the Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. The Library of Congress named it the Library of the Year. It serves more than 11,000 people in Georgia who cannot read standard print.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled for being recognized at the 2026 Library of the Year by the Library of Congress. The GLS is a free library service that reaches over 11,000 Georgia residents of any age who are unable to read standard print due to physical, visual, or reading disability. The system offers magazines and books in braille or audio forms and uses postage-free mail or downloads to reach patrons across the State. This honor by the Library of Congress shows how the GLS makes incredible strides to reach people in all corners of Georgia. I am proud of the work that the Georgia Library Service has accomplished to assist readers across Georgia who otherwise wouldn’t have access to literature with their accommodations. I congratulate GLS on this remarkable achievement and dedicated service to the people of our State.”

“I want to congratulate The Church of Christ Holiness unto the Lord for its 100th anniversary. It started in Savannah, Georgia, in 1926 and has grown across Georgia and Florida.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Church of Christ Holiness unto the Lord as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Founded in 1926 in Savannah, Georgia, by Elder Major Solomon Bennett, the church is dedicated to the headship of Christ while preaching the pure Gospel. Their name was chosen from Scripture such as ``Church of Christ’’ from Romans 16:16 and ``Holiness unto the Lord’’ from Zachariah 14:20. Through the late 1920s and 1930s, the church expanded throughout Georgia through evangelical outreach, revival meetings, and spirit-led ministries. Today, the church has experienced a new expansion with ministries throughout Georgia and Florida. I congratulate the church on its longstanding commitment to discipleship and its continued effort to grow its congregation. I congratulate the church on this remarkable milestone, and my prayers will be with them as they continue working through Christ.”

“I want to honor Command Master Chief Tracy Crihfield. He served in the Navy for almost 30 years.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Command Master Chief Tracy Crihfield of the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia’s First District. A native of Clendenin, West Virginia, Crihfield enlisted in the Navy in 1996 as a submarine sonar technician. He graduated from Navy A School before reporting to his first command, USS West Virginia, at Kings Bay in 1997. He went on to serve aboard the USS Maryland, the USS Wyoming, and the USS Rhode Island. As chief of the boat on USS Tennessee and USS Georgia, he helped lead the successful integration of enlisted women on submarines. He later served as command master chief of strategic weapons facility, earning a strategic systems programs award 2 years in a row. I thank Command Master Chief Crihfield for nearly three decades of service to our Nation.”

“I am honoring Trish DePriest for her 34 years of work helping the people of southeast Georgia in congressional offices.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Trish DePriest of Georgia’s First Congressional District for her 34 years of dedicated service to the people of southeast Georgia. Born and raised in Wauchula, Florida, Trish got her start as a receptionist at WTOC before Congressman Lindsay Thomas hired her as a caseworker. She went on to serve 22 years as casework manager for Congressman Jack Kingston and then continued the legacy of service in my own office. Serving over three decades, Trish helped constituents with everything from passports to veterans benefits to Federal tax issues. She earned a reputation as a trusted problem-solver for Georgians. Trish was married to her husband, Roy, for 50 years until his passing in 2012. Roy served as an engineer with the signal department at CSX railroad. Together, they raised two children and were blessed with four grandchildren. Georgia’s First District thanks Trish DePriest for her decades of faithful service to the people of southeast Georgia. We love her and thank her for her service to our constituents.”

“I am honoring Scott Sweeney, who died recently. He spent decades working on school boards and state commissions to improve public education in Georgia.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the legacy of Commissioner Scott Sweeney, a devoted public servant who spent decades strengthening public education across Georgia. Scott served 8 years on the Cobb County Board of Education, including a term as board chairman. He went on to chair the Georgia State Board of Education, improving education policy for the entire State. Most recently, he served as the commissioner for the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia. Those who worked alongside Scott remember both his leadership and his character. He prioritized students’ success, health, and safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Georgia’s schools faced unprecedented challenges. He brought decades of business experience to his public service, helping Georgia’s schools operate more efficiently while keeping students at the center of every decision he made. Scott truly had a lasting impact on Georgia’s students, educators, and families. Our thoughts are with his wife, Sandy, and their family during this incredibly difficult time.”

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  Speech in the House

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“I want to recognize Parker's Kitchen for winning an award from the Wounded Warrior Project. The company gave $375,000 this year to support wounded veterans and their families.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Parker’s Kitchen, which was recently named the Wounded Warrior Project’s 2025 Corporate Partner of the Year. Headquartered in Savannah, Parker’s Kitchen has long demonstrated its commitment to supporting the men and women who have served our Nation. This year, the company contributed $375,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, helping provide life-changing programs and services to wounded veterans and their families across the country. Parker’s Kitchen founder, Greg Parker, continues to emphasize veterans as an essential part of the company’s team, acknowledging that their sacrifices make possible the freedom we enjoy each day. Wounded Warrior Project CEO Walt Piatt praised Parker’s Kitchen’s unwavering support, noting that partnerships like this make it possible to help veterans not only return from service but truly come home. I thank Greg Parker and his entire team for their continued commitment to Georgia’s First District’s strong military community. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”