Congratulating Myrna Ballard

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Myrna Ballard on her retirement from serving as Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce president after 23 years.

Myrna has been a pillar to Valdosta and Lowndes throughout her time serving in the chamber because of her work in economic development, infrastructure building, and supporting pro-business legislation. Thanks to her diligent and consistent efforts, the chamber has continuously received the 5-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The accreditation program defines standards of excellence in chamber planning and performance, and shows chambers how they can reach and maintain these standards. It also recognizes folks like Myrna who have helped set high standards for chamber members and staff to contribute to the good of their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Myrna the best as she begins her retirement. Congratulations again. Honoring Meg Heap

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap.

Since she was elected DA in 2012, Meg has fought hard to secure justice, prevent crimes, and improve our community. Her lifelong passion for working with victims of crime and senior citizens helped pave her way to law school at Mercer University. A Savannah native, Meg's career and time as DA was marked by her love for Chatham County and its people, which is why she worked so hard to establish the many new programs and innovations to improve the district attorney's office.

Some of the many programs she started include the Youth Intercept for at-risk youth and the Pretrial Diversion for youthful, non-violent first offenders. Meg also helped establish the Chatham County Family Justice Center to assist special victims find the services they need in just one space.

I am thankful for Meg's many years of hard work, as Chatham is truly a better place because of her. Honoring the life of Daniel Zeigler

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Mr. Daniel Zeigler of Savannah, Georgia, who, sadly, passed away on December 4 at the young age of 33.

Daniel was a graduate of the South University School of Pharmacy and worked as a pharmacist at Medicap Pharmacy. One of his greatest joys was taking care of his pharmacy patients, and he did it with unmatched kindness and intentionality.

Daniel loved the Lord and attended services at Compassion Christian Church's Henderson Campus. Like his father, he also had a passion for cars and was an avid member of various organizations. Daniel was the youngest member of the Oglethorpe Driving Club, and cofounded the successful Cars and Coffee, which was a group for car lovers across Savannah.

He dedicated much of his joy and much of his time every December to helping out with the Toys for Tots toy drive, which benefits kids in need.

Mr. Speaker, my prayers, Amy's prayers, and all of the friends at Carter's Pharmacy's prayers go out to all the lives that Daniel touched, including his patients, his family, his parents, Donna and Jay, his brother, Jason, and all of his friends who were blessed to know him.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source