In Memory of Dr. Cornelius W. Grant

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a strategic thinker, a great motivational speaker, an excellent entrepreneur, a man of God, a friend of longstanding, and my fraternity brother, Dr. Cornelius W. Grant. Sadly, Dr. Grant passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. His homegoing service was held on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his family, friends, and the countless students he mentored as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Albany State College (now University) and those he touched in his many other endeavors.

Dr. Cornelius ``C.W.'' Grant, also affectionately known as ``Dean Grant'', was born on February 10, 1931, to the union of the late Reverend Everett Grant and Mrs. Elberta Clark Grant. He was a product of the public-school system in Jacksonville, Florida, graduating from Stanton High School. The next step of his life's journey took him to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). He took a brief respite from FAMU to serve our country in the United States Army. After a successful tour of duty, he returned to FAMU and earned his Juris Doctorate Degree. He began his career at Albany State College in 1966 as the Vice President for Student Affairs where he retired in 1996 after an incredible 30-year career.

Because of the solid spiritual foundation that was instilled in him at an early age by his parents, he enjoyed a strong relationship with God. He was an active member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia for many years, serving under the leadership of Dr. E. James Grant and Dr. Daniel B. Simmons. In later years, he continued his walk with the Lord at Second Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany under the leadership of Dr. Theodus Drake. God indeed ordered the steps of his life.

He was highly sought-after as a public speaker, lecturer, and consultant. Dr. Grant gave many speeches all across the country. He always left a mark and very often ended his speeches with his legendary phrase, ``If it is to be, it is up to me!''

Dr. Grant was armed with a servant's heart and gave of himself in selfless service to many local, state, and national organizations to include: The National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP); the American Association of Law Librarians; the Benevolent Elks; the Pinochle Club; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Delta Delta Chapter); The Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany; Albany Civil Rights Institute; the American Red Cross; The Dougherty County School Board; and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Grant was a leader and not a follower. He served as President of the Albany Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors, Chairman of the Dougherty School Board and also served as President of NASAP. Dr. Grant was also a trailblazer and a history maker. As a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc., he holds the distinction of being one of only six members of the fraternity bestowed with both the Elder Watson Diggs Award and the Laurel Wreath, the highest awards given by the fraternity. He also served as the 16th Southeastern Province Polemarch.

Dr. Grant was a man who exuded confidence. He was indeed an original. He made those with whom he came in contact believe that they could accomplish any task. Dr. Grant's life was truly lived in the words of George Bernard Shaw when he said, ``Some people see things as they are and they say why, I dream things that never were, and I say why not?'' Dr. Grant lived his life with a ``Why Not?'' philosophy.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the love and support of his family, his late wife, Dr. Velma Fudge Grant, who was a long time professor of English and Language Arts; his two daughters, Cheryl Lawson and Joi Grady; his grandchildren; godsons; and companion, Judge Denise Marshall.

On a personal note, Dr. Grant was my friend and my fraternity brother in both Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi. He was always encouraging and supportive of my career in Congress and I will indeed miss his candid and cogent advice and counsel.

Madam Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District, and the countless others who were touched by this great man, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Grant family. We are proud to have known a man who dedicated his life to the uplift of others. To God be the Glory for the life and legacy of Dr. Cornelius W. Grant.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source