In Memory of Overseer Roosevelt Carter, I

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the memory of a loving husband, dedicated father, outstanding Man of God, devoted spiritual leader, gifted musician, astute entrepreneur, and dear friend of longstanding, Overseer Roosevelt Carter, I, who passed from labor to reward on June 15, 2025. A funeral service to celebrate his remarkable and committed life was held on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at First Monumental Faith Ministries in Albany, Georgia.

The journey of the resilient life of Overseer Roosevelt Carter began with his birth on June 16, 1944, to the union of Deacon Enoch and Deaconess Mary Magdalene Carter in Leesburg, Georgia. Always spurred by a love of learning, he attended Lee County Training School in Leesburg, Georgia, before pursuing Announcing and Broadcasting at the Broadcast Schools of New York. Overseer Carter pursued theological studies at Bethany Bible School and Theological Seminary, earning both a Bachelor's in Ministry and a Master's in Theology.

Overseer Carter began his ministry through the power of music. He launched his career as a DJ in Brooklyn, New York, gaining recognition as one of the best in the United States. His musical journey included working at WJIZ, where he earned the title ``No. 1 Soul Wax Man,'' famously known as ``The Love Man--6 Foot 2.'' He also collaborated with prominent organizations such as Atlantic Recording Company in New York, WDAS Radio Broadcasting Station in Pittsburgh, PA, and WOAK in Atlanta, Georgia.

As an astute entrepreneur, he founded and served as President of Flint River Construction, a respected general contracting firm known for projects of regional and national significance, including the construction of Concourse E at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He worked alongside influential figures such as former Atlanta Mayors Maynard Jackson and Bill Campbell, and specialized in building church structures.

Additionally, Overseer Carter was a trailblazer in agriculture, producing livestock and various crops, and he created Carter's Farm Peanut Butter, which proudly sold in Walmart and Kroger stores--a historic accomplishment for an African-American-owned agribusiness.

Patriotically committed to public service, he became the first African-American man to run for County Commissioner in Lee County, Georgia. Although he won the district of Chokee, changes in the rules requiring county-wide wins prevented him from taking his seat. No stranger to adversity, during his campaign, his car was shot at in a crude attempt to derail his progress, yet Overseer Carter stood firm in his commitment to bring about positive change.

Overseer Carter answered the most important call of his life--the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This journey began at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Camilla, Georgia, and expanded to include service at Ephesians Baptist Church in Albany and New Mt. Pleasant Church in Waycross, Georgia.

In 1984, he co-founded First Monumental Faith Ministries alongside his loving wife, First Lady and Co-Overseer, LaVerne Shinault Carter. For 35 remarkable years, he shepherded his congregation through blessings, baptisms, weddings, and offered comfort to grieving families. Under their dynamic leadership, First Monumental became a beacon of hope and salvation.

As the great Agriculture Chemist George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong because someday in life you will have been all of these.'' Overseer Carter's legacy extended beyond church walls, serving people from all walks of life. He founded First Monumental Community Outreach, Inc. (FMCO), providing critical support services. Notably, he spearheaded initiatives like Job's Place, the first assistance program for individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Dougherty County, and collaborated with the City of Albany to combat homelessness, successfully transitioning over 15 families to sustainable living.

Overseer Carter also enhanced economic empowerment through projects like the Monumental Development Center and Fluff-n-Fold Laundromat, fostering job creation for local residents. Even amidst significant health challenges, he remained dedicated to sharing God's goodness, writing, preaching, and singing about His grace. He authored two impactful books, ``Freedom in Worship'' and ``Stuck in A Rut,'' and expanded his ministry globally through TBN and various national and local media outlets.

As we remember Overseer Carter, we acknowledge that all his achievements were made possible through God's grace and the unwavering support of his devoted wife, LaVerne, and their children--Pastor RoDerald Carter, Pastor Lorenzo Heard, daughter-in-love Attorney Marilyn Moss Carter, and a vast circle of family, friends, and loved ones.

On a personal note, I am profoundly grateful for Overseer Carter's wise counsel and enduring friendship throughout the years. He has been a source of encouragement during my time in Congress, and I am proud to have called him my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the 765,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District, in extending our heartfelt condolences to Overseer Roosevelt Carter's family and the members of First Monumental Faith Ministries. We celebrate his leadership, his lasting impact on the community, the church, and all mankind. His legacy of love and service will continue to inspire us all.

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