Recognizing the Honorable Al Hutchins

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Al Hutchins of Blakely, Georgia, who is retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service on the Blakely City Council. An event to celebrate his extraordinary career in public service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Al Hutchins Community Center in Blakely, Georgia.

Councilman Hutchins has devoted 25 years and 4 months to public service in our region, including more than two decades representing his community through the City of Blakely and as a representative with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission. Throughout his long career he has been a steady and principled leader, working to strengthen local government, improve services for residents, and support community development across southwest Georgia.

His commitment to service has earned him numerous honors, including the Unsung Hero Award, Certificates of Congressional Recognition, multiple recognitions from the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission for long service and perfect attendance, a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Blakely for 20 years of service, awards from the Georgia Municipal Association for achievement and distinction, a resolution from Representative Gerald Greene and the Georgia House of Representatives, and recognition from the U.S. Census Bureau for community partnership and engagement--among many other certificates of appreciation from local organizations. These awards reflect the respect he has earned from colleagues, civic partners, and constituents. It has been said that the ``True person of success is not the person that climbs the ladder of this life with two hands but climbs the ladder of this life with one hand and reaches back with the other.'' Throughout his career in public service, Councilman Hutchins has always reached back to help others to reach their full potential.

Beyond his public work, Al Hutchins is a devoted family man and active member of his faith community. He and his wife, Alice Hutchins, are parents to Machelle (Joyce) Hutchins, Allison (Andrea) Harrison, and Tre Hutchins, and proud grandparents of TiGeronika Lindsey, Bryson Hutchins, and Jru Harrison. He is a member of Empowerment Temple under the leadership of Apostle Turkeisa Rushin.

On a personal note, Councilman Hutchins and his wife, Alice have become trusted friends and confidantes. They have supported me as their congressman and for their support, I will be forever grateful. One of the things that I appreciate most about Councilman Hutchins is the fact that he has wonderful sense of humor and the fact that you can almost count on him to tell a ``good joke.''

As Councilman Hutchins begins his well-earned retirement, Vivian and I join his family, friends, and the people of Blakely in thanking him for his tireless service and leadership. His steady stewardship and commitment to the common good, have left a lasting and positive mark on his community. On behalf of the more than 765,000 people of the 2nd Congressional District and my colleagues, I once again thank him for his service and wish him, Alice, and their family every blessing in the years ahead.

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