[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E431-E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING MR. JAMES A. BUSSEY'S 99TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2025

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and celebrate 
the 99th birthday of a dear friend of longstanding to my wife, Vivian 
and me, Mr. James A. Bussey, Sr. His birthday celebration will be held 
on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the St. James AME Church in Columbus, 
Georgia. David Viscott once said that, ``The purpose of life is to 
discover your gift. The Work of life is to develop it. The Meaning of 
life is to give your gift away.'' Mr. James Bussey has given his life 
away in service to others and we are all better for it.
  James Andrew Bussey was born in Harris County, Georgia in 1926 and 
attended Spencer High School, where he graduated in 1944. Upon 
graduation, James was accepted into Morehouse College in Atlanta, 
Georgia, where he remained for one year before marrying Ms. Marguerite 
Lindsey in 1947 and moving to Columbus, Georgia.
  Mr. Bussey is an industrious man who worked two jobs every week to 
support his family because he wanted to provide a better life for them. 
He constantly had to fight the scourge of racism and because of this, 
he left Columbus in 1957 to move to Washington, D.C. where he obtained 
employment at the Washington Hotel. But the stench of racism was not 
far behind as Mr. Bussey discovered that his weekly paycheck was $20 
less than that of his White counterparts. With a heavy heart, he 
returned to Georgia and settled in Columbus.
  Because of his grit, determination and unwavering faith in God, Mr. 
Bussey found employment as a mail handler with the United States Postal 
Service. He took pride in delivering the mail and especially enjoyed 
the East Highland route, which allowed him to visit his mother and 
grandmother frequently. Becoming a Mail Handler allowed Mr. Bussey to 
connect with his community on a personal level, and he was known to 
sing as he walked with joy along his daily route. In addition, he would 
support and assist community members with literacy troubles and would 
read and respond to mail whenever asked. Mr. Bussey's dedication to his 
job as a Mail Handler and passion for members of his community granted 
him the recurring opportunity to drive the postal vehicle in the annual 
Christmas parade in Columbus.
  Mr. Bussey retired from the United States Postal Service in 1976, and 
upon his retirement, returned to college with his undying resilience 
and dedication, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbus 
College in 1988. Mr. Bussey became a proud

[[Page E432]]

member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and to this day lives 
by their mission to promote brotherhood and service to all mankind.
  Furthermore, Mr. Bussey is a longtime active member of St. James AME 
Church where he is an officer, a member of the Sons of Allen, and a 
soloist with the choir. He has volunteered with the Ambassadors of the 
Columbus Visitors Bureau and has appeared on stage and performed in 
musical productions at the Liberty Theater, the Three Arts Theater, and 
the Columbus RiverCenter. He is known for his skills on the dance floor 
which he continues to exhibit regularly at local senior center ballroom 
dance activities.
  Mr. Bussey continues to live a selfless and generous life, serving as 
a proud Christian, father, husband, and friend and has been blessed 
with four children, James Jr., (Deceased) Janet, Margaret and Michael. 
I have known Mr. Bussey and the Bussey family for almost 60 years. He 
is one of the finest human beings that I have ever met in my lifetime. 
None of the success that he achieved in life would have been possible 
without the Grace of God as well as the love and support of his loving 
wife, Marguerite, his children, other extended family members and 
friends. He is an example of what Jesus meant when he said, ``He that 
is great among you shall be a servant and he that is greatest among you 
shall be a servant unto all.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me and my wife, Vivian; 
along with the more than 765,000 people of the Second Congressional 
District, in extending our best wishes to Mr. James A. Bussey, Sr. on 
the occasion of his 99th birthday. As we celebrate yet another year of 
Mr. Bussey's remarkable life, we would all do well to follow the 
example of his legacy: striving to improve the quality of life of 
others by giving away the gift of his extraordinary life for the 
betterment of his community and all humanity. May God continue to bless 
him with life, health, joy, and happiness.

                          ____________________