Recognizing Councilor Evelyn ``mimi'' Woodson

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public servant, community activist, trailblazer, and dear friend of longstanding to my wife, Vivian, and me, Councilor Evelyn ``Mimi'' Woodson. She will be honored at an event on December 15, 2022, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center for her 28 years as a member of the Columbus City Council.

Councilor Woodson's story is truly the epitome of the American Dream. She was born in Manati, Puerto Rico and spent her formative years in New York and Chicago before her family eventually settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Because of her love of country, she joined the Wisconsin National Guard as a part time soldier before entering the United States Army where she served her country faithfully for 13 and a half years. During her distinguished military career, she was honored with the Good Conduct Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal.

Councilor Woodson moved to Columbus in 1993 and immediately became involved in the community, establishing Kids and Things, a successful business that had as its focus the importance of youth in the community and civic engagement.

Because of her love of her community and her belief that she could make a difference, Councilor Woodson offered herself as a candidate for the Columbus City Council. The voters of District 7 elected her, and she took her first oath of office on January 3, 1995. She made history by becoming the first Latino City Councilor in the history of Columbus, Georgia. She would be re-elected 6 more times because of the trust placed in her by her constituents.

During her tenure in elective office, Councilor never lost sight of the importance of community and remained closely connected. She has been involved with many community organizations during her time on the City Council to include Columbus Against Drugs, Winterfield on the Move, American Red Cross, South Columbus Revitalization, Georgia Municipal Association, National League of Cities, Community Advancement, Hispanic Elected Officials (served as President), Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials Board of Directors, Community Warriors, American Legion, and the Columbus Steam Center. Along with the late Harold ``Lefty'' Encarnacion, she was one of the driving forces behind the Tri City Latino Association's cultural festival in Columbus, Georgia that honors the significant role that Latinos have played in our country's rich history. The festival celebrated its 9th year in September.

Because of her great work and advocacy in her community, Councilor Woodson has been honored with many awards during her public service to include: Keep Columbus Beautiful Litter Presentation Award, Perty Favorite City Leader Award; Ernestine Aurelia Mack Service to Mankind Award; the Rainbow Push Coalition Woman on the Rise Award; Women of Action, The Courier Community Service Award; the Harold ``Lefty'' Encarnacion Community Service Award; the Dr. Ophelia Devore Young Unsung Hero Honors; Mundo Hispanic Atlanta Distinguish Person of the Year; The Panamanian Association of Columbus, Georgia Mother of the Year; William H. Spencer High School Generosity in Service; Spencerian Service Award; Davis Broadcasting Women of Excellence Award; Columbus Georgia Chapter of J.U.G.S. Women of Action Honoree; and she was a 2022 inductee into the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

Councilor Woodson has used her time on the Columbus City Council for good. She would always ask the questions that others were afraid to ask. During her time in office, she truly served as a voice to the voiceless and gave hope to the hopeless.

It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Councilor Evelyn ``Mimi'' Woodson has paid her rent and she has paid it well.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and Me, along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second District in congratulating and commending Councilor Evelyn ``Mimi'' Woodson for her years of service to our country, state, and the Columbus City Council. May God continue to ``order the steps'' of her life as she embarks on her next journey.

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