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[Pages H1248-H1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk) for 5 minutes.
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, on January 14, 2019, at a joint session
of the Georgia General Assembly that was held on the campus of Georgia
Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, the Honorable Brian Kemp
was inaugurated as the 83rd Governor of the State of Georgia. Upon
taking the oath of office, Brian Kemp became the third Republican to
occupy the Governor's mansion since reconstruction.
Even before taking the oath of office, Brian was already making
history, receiving more votes than any gubernatorial candidate in State
history.
As with many of Georgia's Governors, Governor Kemp comes from a
humble background. He was a small business owner, building his first
construction business with a pickup and a shovel. With hard work and
personal sacrifice, he grew that business and eventually became one of
Georgia's successful entrepreneurs, responsible for several successful
businesses.
When Brian became frustrated with the mismanagement of State
government, he determined that, instead of just complaining, he would
do something about it. He ran for a seat in the State senate, and in
2003, this young businessman from Athens was sworn in as a freshman
senator from the 46th District.
Two years after Brian took office, I was elected to the State house
of representatives and had the honor to work with him on several key
legislative initiatives. I could always count on Brian, not only to be
an ally, but to help perfect legislation as it moved through the State
senate.
Brian was, and still is, a strong conservative with the ability to
reach across the aisle to get things done for Georgians. During his
time in the senate, Brian was instrumental in fighting to cut taxes,
fees, and mandates on job creators and Georgia families.
In 2008, Brian left the State senate and returned to the private
sector, but his heart never left serving his State and his community.
In 2010, Governor Sonny Perdue called on Brian to return to public
service, appointing him to serve as Georgia's secretary of state. Brian
easily won reelection as secretary of state that same year and remained
in that post until he resigned in November 2018.
As secretary of state, Brian wanted to ensure that Georgia elections
were secure, accessible, and fair. In 2016, being a member of this
body's Committee on Homeland Security, Brian asked me to work with him
to ensure that Georgia's election data was secure from cyber threats.
During his tenure as secretary of state, Brian utilized technology
and innovation to cut bureaucratic red tape, reduce spending, and
streamline Georgia's government.
[[Page H1249]]
Brian is known around the State as a great businessman, a public
servant, and a statesman. However, Brian will tell you, his most
important job in life is being a husband and a father. Brian and his
wife, Marty, have three daughters: Jarrett, Lucy, and Amy Porter. The
Kemps are a family tightly bound by their strong faith, their
commitment to public service, and a love for their community, their
State, and their country.
From the backhoe to the boardroom, Brian Kemp understands how to
successfully create jobs, recruit startups, grow companies, and make
deals to provide opportunities for hardworking Georgians.
To communicate his commitment to further growing Georgia's thriving
economy, and to ensure all Georgians have the opportunity to live,
learn, and prosper, Governor Kemp has made the theme of his
governorship ``Putting Georgians First.'' I believe Governor Brian Kemp
will work for all Georgians, and I look forward to working with him as
he leads Georgia forward.
Congratulations, Governor Kemp.
____________________
