E1778 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 10, 2014 HONORING LANDON MONTGOMERY In addition to his legislative achievements, less man who gave his life in service to those Rep. Smyre has also built a successful busi- who needed it most. I also honor his loving HON. SAM GRAVES ness career. In 1976, he joined Columbus and dedicated parents, Ed and Paula Kassig, OF MISSOURI Bank & Trust Company, the Columbus-based who live in Indianapolis. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES division of Synovus, as a Manager Trainee. Although he was only 26 at the time of his Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Two years later, he was promoted to Assistant death, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig dedicated Vice President and Marketing Officer. He his entire adult life to serving others. Born and Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I served as Assistant Vice President and Vice raised in Indianapolis, Kassig graduated from proudly pause to recognize Landon Mont- President of Corporate Administration for North Central High School in 2006. Upon his gomery. Landon is a very special young man Synovus from 1984 to 1990 and as Vice graduation, Kassig served as a soldier in the who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- President of Corporate Affairs from 1992 to U.S. Army as a member of the 1st Battalion, zenship and leadership by taking an active 1994. In 1996, Rep. Smyre was named Senior 75th Ranger Regiment. Deployed to the Mid- part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 714, Vice President and Assistant to the Chairman dle East, he bravely served his country and and earning the most prestigious award of for Community Affairs. In 1999, he was pro- returned to the United States with an Honor- Eagle Scout. moted to Executive Vice President and has able Medical Discharge. Landon has been very active with his troop, served in this position ever since. In addition, After his tenure in the Army, Kassig at- participating in many scout activities. Over the he has the role of Synovus representative on tended Hanover College and Butler University. many years Landon has been involved with the Financial Services Roundtable, the leading During this time, he also trained as an Emer- scouting, he has not only earned numerous advocacy organization for the financial indus- gency Medical Technician. In 2012, after see- merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- try headquartered in Washington, D.C. ing the suffering of Syrian refugees in Leb- ily, peers, and community. Most notably, As former Chairman and CEO of the anon, he left higher education to use his med- Landon contributed to his community through Synovus Foundation, the organization that di- ical training by providing humanitarian aid to his Eagle Scout project. rects corporate and philanthropic gifts from those affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in com- Synovus, Rep. Smyre has been one of the He founded a non-profit, Special Emergency mending Landon Montgomery for his accom- driving forces in ensuring that the company Response Assistance (SERA), to provide Syr- plishments with the Boy Scouts of America creates goodwill in the communities that it ian refugees with medical supplies, medical and for his efforts put forth in achieving the serves. Synovus boasts approximately $26 bil- assistance, clothing and food. Kassig also highest distinction of Eagle Scout. lion in assets and provides commercial and re- taught trauma care skills to others and thus f tail banking and investment services to con- spread his knowledge and good works to IN RECOGNITION OF THE sumers in the southeast United States. The countless people. HONORABLE CALVIN SMYRE company has been named one of Fortune The compassion and selflessness that magazine’s ‘‘100 Best Companies to Work Kassig displayed is an inspiration to his fellow HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. For’’ in America multiple times. Hoosiers and everyone who dreams of a more OF GEORGIA Although his business career and legislative peaceful world. The danger he faced did noth- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES duties have kept him busy, Rep. Smyre still ing to temper his resolve to help those who finds the time to serve his community in var- needed it most. Kassig and SERA were dedi- Wednesday, December 10, 2014 ious other capacities. He has held leadership cated to providing acute logistical support and Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise and membership positions on numerous assistance in areas too difficult for other hu- today to honor a distinguished public servant, boards, foundations and organizations. He is a manitarian organizations to effectively operate. principled business leader and dear friend to devoted Christian and has been a member of Abdul-Rahman Peter Edward Kassig will be my wife, Vivian and me, Georgia State Rep- Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church for over remembered as a young man of tremendous resentative Calvin Smyre. Representative fifty years. courage and integrity by family and friends Smyre will be retiring this month as Executive Nelson Mandela once said, ‘‘For to be free from Indiana and across the globe. I join peo- Vice President of Corporate External Affairs of is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to ple of all faiths in praying for the comfort of Synovus, a financial services company based live in a way that respects and enhances the those who mourn his death and a more in Columbus, Georgia. freedom of others.’’ Rep. Smyre embodies this peaceful world for all to live in. Representative Smyre earned a degree in statement thoroughly, for in light of his great f Business Administration from Fort Valley State personal success, he continues to fight to en- University in Fort Valley, Georgia. In 1974, he sure that every voice is respected and heard. HONORING REVEREND THADDEUS was elected to the Georgia House of Rep- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join J. WILLIAMS resentatives as its youngest member at 27 me, my wife Vivian, and the Columbus, Geor- years of age. I was honored to have served gia community in honoring Georgia State Rep- HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON with Rep. Smyre during my own tenure in the resentative Calvin Smyre for his decades of OF MISSISSIPPI , and I feel blessed leadership at Synovus. While he leaves be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to have gained a dear friend. hind a great legacy at Synovus, we have cer- Wednesday, December 10, 2014 A 40-year legislative veteran, Rep. Smyre tainly not seen the last of Rep. Smyre. He will has built a repertoire of legislative accomplish- continue to represent his constituents in the Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- ments. He currently serves on the Appropria- state legislature and he will continue to serve er, I rise today to honor Reverend Thaddeus tions Committee and the Rules Committee the Columbus community with integrity and J. Williams, a native of Yazoo City, Mis- and is Chairman Emeritus of the House distinction. sissippi. Democratic Caucus. In 1983, Rep. Smyre Reverend Thaddeus J. Williams is married f transcended racial barriers when Governor to the former Teresa L. Buckner and the father appointed him as Administra- HONORING THE HEROIC SERVICE to four children: Sam, Dante’, Philip, and Alex- tion Floor Leader, making Rep. Smyre the first AND SACRIFICE OF ABDUL- andria. He is a Licensed and Ordained Min- African American in history to hold this posi- RAHMAN PETER EDWARD ister of the Gospel and currently serves as tion. In 1985, he was elected to the Demo- KASSIG Minister of Membership Assimilation at Great- cratic National Committee, becoming the first er Fairview Baptist Church. African-American elected official from Georgia HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS Reverend Williams is currently enrolled in to serve on the Committee. Then, in 2001, OF INDIANA Mississippi Baptist Seminary and Bible Col- Rep. Smyre made history again when Gov- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lege pursuing a Master in Christian Education. ernor Roy Barnes named him Chairman of the He earned a B.S. degree in Business Adminis- Democratic Party of Georgia, making Rep. Wednesday, December 10, 2014 tration from Mississippi Valley State University Smyre the first African American to chair the Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I in 1987 and a Master of Public Administration state Democratic Party. Nationally, Rep. rise today in honor of the service and sacrifice from the University of Mississippi in 1991. He Smyre is President Emeritus of the National of Abdul-Rahman Peter Edward Kassig. Trag- is a graduate of the Mississippi Certified Pub- Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) ically before his time, Kassig was taken from lic Manager Program, the John C. Stennis In- and the immediate Past President of the this earth by the hands of the terrorist group stitute of Government, Leadership Yazoo NBCSL Foundation. ISIL. He will forever be remembered as a self- City’s Inaugural Class in 1992, and the 2008

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