“I want to honor World War II veteran John 'Jack' Welsh for his service and wish him a happy 100th birthday.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John ``Jack’’ Welsh, a World War II combat veteran and soon to be centenarian. In fact, on September 4, he will be 100. Upon graduating high school on the same day as D-day in June 1944, Jack asked his parents if he could enlist. He served in the Philippines during General MacArthur’s campaign, carrying a Browning Automatic Rifle and later served in the occupation force in Japan. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Army of Occupation Medal, among other honors. After his service, Jack earned two degrees from Duke University’s Forestry School and spent 35 years with the U.S. Forest Service. He and his wife, Mary Ann, were married 62 years and raised four sons together. Jack is the proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His service of lifelong dedication to family and community reflects his great character and service. Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his service and wish him a happy 100th birthday.”

“I want to honor Judge Andy Prather, who is retiring. He is the longest-serving state court judge in Georgia and has served Muscogee County for 46 years.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Andy Prather, the longest serving State court judge in Georgia, who announced his upcoming retirement. The Muscogee County State court judge has notified Governor Brian Kemp that he will be retiring from the bench on November 30. This comes 3 months after he won an election to another 4-year term. Prather is 73 and has been a State court judge since January of 1994, when he was appointed by Governor Zell Miller. Prior to that appointment, he was the Muscogee County solicitor general, the State court’s lead prosecutor. He says that serving Muscogee County for 46 years has been one of the greatest privileges of his life and he looks forward to assisting incoming Chief Judge Pete Temesgen as he takes on the task of welcoming and training two new judges.”

“I want to recognize Jackson Brooks for his success in sports. He was chosen to represent Georgia in the Patriot Games.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jackson Brooks for his outstanding athletic accomplishments, which led to his selection to represent Georgia in this year’s Patriot Games. The Patriot Games is an event that brings high school athletes from across the United States, American territories, and Tribal nations in challenges meant to test strength, endurance, agility, and teamwork with games such as dodgeball, tug-of-war, track and field, and kickball. The 17-year-old is a Nike Outdoor Nationals All-American decathlete who finished the year as the number 2 ranked rising junior. Back when Jackson was in middle school, he set an 800-meter State record and was also a part of the GHSA class 5A State championship 4x800 relay team this spring. On top of being a decathlete, Jackson is a very valuable part of the Clarke Central football team where he is a standout wide receiver. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of Jackson--and I know his parents are as well--for representing us in the great State of Georgia.”

“I am honoring Derrick Moore. He died after saving a young girl from drowning in the ocean.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the sacrifice of Derrick Moore, who died rescuing a young girl from a rip current in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On a late Friday evening, Mr. Moore, who was just 47, saw the young girl struggling in the ocean and immediately rushed into the water to help her. He successfully pulled the child from the rip current and brought her to safety, but was then pulled under water himself. First responders from the Myrtle Beach Police Department and Myrtle Beach Fire Department launched an intensive search that extended into Saturday morning. Unfortunately, ocean currents washed Moore’s body ashore the next morning where officials later recovered him. Mr. Speaker, I am honoring Derrick for his courageous and selfless acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and with his family. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”