Recognizing the Service of Brian Mayes

Floor Speech

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Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brian Mayes for his outstanding leadership and service.

Brian is a 1983 graduate of West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon graduation, he proudly served in the United States Air Force for four years. Following his military service, Brian spent twenty years as a very popular and highly regarded national gospel performer.

Although Brian still sings, his career focus has since shifted to community service. For 20 years, he served as the Director of Family Life Outreach, an organization that does significant charitable work. In 2014, Brian became the Director of the Boys and Girls Club Jackson Teen Center in Camden where he is known as Mr. BB to many young people. The Center serves as a safe haven for kids after school and is open to all middle and high school students in Kershaw County. From athletics, to academics, to life skills and college preparation, the after-school center not only gives students a place to go, but a place to grow. Brian's wife and life partner, Roberta, also serves at the Jackson Teen Center. Fondly called ``Mom'' or ``Auntie Bertie'' by the teens, she leads the Job Readiness Training program.

Under Brian's leadership, the Center has become one of the best attended programs of its kind in the entire country. Ninety percent of members go on to attend college or join the military upon graduation. During his time at the Center, Brian has developed numerous innovative programs. Some of these programs include ``Make it a Conversation,'' which enables young people to interact with community leaders and experts about topics of interest, and ``Jobs and Employability Training for Teens,'' which provides job skills, training, and internship experiences for high school students. Volunteers at the Center describe the incredible work Brian does as ``powerful.'' His colleagues recognize the ``hope, belief, and positivity'' he gives to his students.

Brian has exceeded expectations in service to our state, highlighted by his receipt of numerous honors and accolades. For example, in 2016, Brian received the Leonard Price Award for Community Service. The following year, Brian was named ``Person of the Year'' by the Camden Chronicle-Independent and received the ``Delta Five Points of Purpose'' Award. He and his wife also received the WIS ``Community Builder'' Award.

On behalf of the 5th District of South Carolina, it is my most sincere pleasure to recognize Brian for his outstanding leadership and lifelong service to our state. I wish him the best of luck throughout his future endeavors, as I am confident he will to continue to serve and find great success in all that he does.

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