Debt Clock Ticking
Floor Speech
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Deano's Italian on being named the Best Italian Restaurant in the State of Georgia.
Deano's is a beloved family-owned and -operated Italian restaurant in Dublin, Georgia. This great honor highlights how a small town eatery with a deep compassion for its community can compete with restaurants in larger cities across the State.
The restaurant was evaluated on multiple criteria, such as food quality, consistency, atmosphere, and its overall dining experience. Voters noted that what made Deano's stand out was its combination of authentic Italian cuisine and southern hospitality.
The city of Dublin also believes this achievement will bring business to nearby shops, cafes, and local attractions, creating a meaningful impact on their economy.
Deano's has proven just how far commitment to customers can take you. This level of service is a great example of Georgia's growing tourism industry. Recognizing Gussie Gammon's 100th Birthday
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Augusta ``Gussie'' Gammon's 100th birthday.
Gussie has dedicated much of her life to public service and an unwavering commitment to the Republican Party.
Born on June 25, 1926, in Philadelphia, Gussie moved to Georgia in 1983, becoming a strong force within Republican politics by founding four women's Republican clubs and serving as a delegate to three Republican Presidential conventions. She also served as Glynn County campaign manager for President George H.W. Bush and Congressman Jack Kingston.
Aside from her work in politics, she founded Johnson Insurance Agency in 1969 in the Florida Keys with her late husband. Together, they raised four daughters and were blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Gussie later married Don Gammon, with whom she continues her remarkable journey.
Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to wish Ms. Gammon a happy 100th birthday. Honoring Dr. Paul Brooksher
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Paul Brooksher, who retired from the position of superintendent of Bryan County Schools this year.
Paul has faithfully worked in public education for 31 years, serving as superintendent for 14 of them. Bryan County is one of the fastest- growing school systems in Georgia, and Paul has worked tirelessly to lay the foundation necessary to support this growth through effective investment in teachers, facilities, and programs.
After he announced his retirement, his colleagues encouraged him to reconsider, a true testament to how well- liked and highly regarded he was in his role.
Paul said he was ready to step into a new chapter of his life, one where he could focus on spending time with the ones he loves the most.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Paul for his contribution to the education of young Georgians, and I wish him the very best. Recognizing Dr. Randy Kluender
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Randy Kluender for his more than 40 years of experience and service in the field of dentistry.
Randy currently serves as the president and a board of trustees member of the Georgia School of Orthodontics. He has enjoyed a wonderful and fulfilling career, including as administrator at the University of Colorado and leadership roles in the American College of Dentists and Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
Chosen for ADEA's Harry Bruce Legislative Fellowship in Washington, D.C., Randy brought a wealth of experience to legislative issues concerning dentistry. There, he worked to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Above all, Randy is a man of good character who has spoken with numerous prospective dental students, conveying his passion and the importance of upholding ethical standards in dentistry.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Randy. Honoring Frederick Lawrence Muller
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Frederick Muller, who passed away on May 19, 2026.
Muller was a UPenn and Georgetown graduate, husband, Navy lieutenant, and successful investment manager.
During the Cuban missile crisis, Muller served to enforce the naval quarantine of Cuba.
After 2 years in the North Atlantic, he served an additional 2 years with the Navy intelligence unit in Washington.
In addition to his military service, Muller was also successful professionally. He founded, grew, and eventually sold his own institutional investment firm.
Outside of work, Muller continued to serve others in new ways. In Georgia, he was a trustee for the Savannah Country Day School, a member of the University of Georgia Library's Board of Visitors, a member of the Trust Committee of Saint John's Episcopal Church, and a trustee of the Mighty Eighth Foundation.
Frederick Muller leaves behind a legacy of family devotion, military service, American entrepreneurship and servant leadership. Congratulating Jere's Antiques
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jere's Antiques in Savannah on their 50th anniversary.
Since 1796, Jere's Antiques has been a major source of supplies for antique auction houses, designers, and individuals.
Over the years, he has created a destination filled with history, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty.
From sourcing extraordinary pieces across England and Europe to welcoming generations of customers into his Savannah showroom, Jere's passion and dedication have never wavered.
Jere's success is not only measured in business achievement, but in the countless people he has inspired, helped, and connected with over the decades.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Jere for preserving the past, enriching Savannah's homes, and all of his hard work for the past 50 years. Honoring James G. Minter, Jr.
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the legacy of James G. Minter, Jr. of Inman, Georgia, who passed away on May 27, 2026, at the age of 95.
Minter was a proud graduate of Fayette County High School and University of Georgia, where he earned a degree in journalism.
Following his education, he served his country as an infantry training officer during the Korean war before beginning a distinguished journalism career with The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution.
Over the course of decades, Minter became the executive editor of the combined Atlanta Journal-Constitution, helping shape one of Georgia's leading newspapers.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and lifelong member of the Methodist Church.
I extend my deepest condolences to his wife of 70 years, Anne; his family; and all who knew and loved him. We honor his service, his leadership, and his enduring impact on his community. Honoring McHugh ``Mac'' Maurin
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor McHugh ``Mac'' Maurin, who will be turning 100 years old on June 4.
Mr. Maurin served our country as a Navy World War II veteran.
He was raised in Reserve, Louisiana, where he attended and graduated from LSU in 1951 following the war.
After graduating, he began to work as a civil engineer in the roofing manufacturing industry.
His successful career took him and his family to New Jersey, Texas, and finally Peachtree City, Georgia, in 1981.
He then retired to Concord, Georgia, before following his youngest daughter to St. Marys.
Mr. Maurin's accomplishments also extended to the home and family he created. He raised six children with his late wife, Peggy, who passed away earlier this year, after more than 72 years of marriage.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Maurin for his service and wish him a happy birthday. Recognizing Commander Nathaniel L. Robinson
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Commander Nathaniel L. Robinson for his dedication to protecting the American people.
Commander Robinson is the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit, where he serves as Captain of the Port, officer in charge of marine inspections, Federal maritime security, and on-scene operations throughout coastal Georgia.
He is a graduate of the University of West Florida, Southern New Hampshire University, and the U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College.
For his esteemed work, Commander Robinson received a certificate in executive leadership from the University of Notre Dame.
Prior to the Coast Guard, he was the director of marketing for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. He was granted his commission from the United States Coast Guard's Officer Candidate School in 2006.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Commander Robinson for his outstanding service. Honoring O.V. Lewis
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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to honor Mr. O.V. Lewis of Blairsville, Georgia, for his upcoming 95th birthday on June 16, 2026.
O.V. joined the Young Harris College faculty in 1952, after teaching high school for 2 years in Wayne and Appling Counties in south Georgia. During his time at Young Harris, he served as an accounting instructor for 48 years and as a registrar for 31 years.
He retired in 2011, with the longest tenure of any previous college employee, but his service in advancing Young Harris College's mission did not end there. Through generous philanthropy and planned giving, he established the O.V. Lewis Endowed Scholarship to advance the education of future generations.
In 2022, O.V. was honored with the Nancy Louise Haynes Stevens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award.
O.V. will tell you his fondest memories center around his time with Young Harris College faculty and students. The feeling is reciprocal. Many former students, such as myself, still maintain close relationships with him and credit him with having a significant influence on their success in life and careers, all because of O.V.'s unparalleled commitment to his students in the classroom and beyond their graduations.
Mr. Speaker, I thank O.V. for his outstanding commitment to furthering the education of so many students, and I wish him a very happy 95th birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
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