Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Page S2594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Tribute to Woody Woodside
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, one of the great honors we have in the
Senate is the tradition of bringing Americans of great reputation and
achievement before the Record of the U.S. Senate.
Today, I am proud to rise to speak about a personal friend of mine--
we don't often get to do this--a man by the name of Woody Woodside. He
is actually here with us today in the Senate Galleries.
Woody is the epitome of what makes America great. He is an
institution in south Georgia and in my hometown. Woody has never met a
stranger. He is a man of character and a joy to be around.
Woody graduated from The Citadel and spent 23 years serving our
country in the Army and the Georgia Army National Guard. He later
worked 13 years as a congressional staffer for Congressman Bo Ginn and
Congressman Lindsay Thomas, both of whom represented Georgia's First
Congressional District.
Woody then became president of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of
Commerce in Glynn County, where my wife, Bonnie, and I today reside.
During his 34 years at the chamber, Woody has overseen a number of
major economic development projects and been a true leader not only in
that community but across our entire State. Much of Brunswick's success
and, indeed, the success of our entire State of Georgia can be
attributed to Woody Woodside.
Woody is honest, persistent, and reliable. He knows how to get things
done. He knows how to laugh.
Woody has long been an advocate for Georgia's ports, and he played a
pivotal role in securing funding to deepen the Brunswick Harbor. That
project was completed in 2007 and enabled the port to specialize in
roll-on, roll-off cargo, like cars, trucks, and heavy construction
equipment. Because of that, today, the Brunswick Port is the No. 1 port
in the United States for new auto imports and the No. 2 port for roll-
on, roll-off cargo in total. It is an amazing development in less than
a decade. This port is a major economic driver in coastal Georgia and
supports 11,000 jobs in the Brunswick area.
Woody has also worked to develop a strong and diverse base of
employers in the area. Today, Glynn County is home to the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center, FLETC, which is the largest homeland
security training center in the United States. It is also home to
companies like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a major medical
center, the College of Coastal Georgia, and a strong tourism industry.
One of Woody's top priorities is workforce development, and it has
been throughout his entire career. In 2009, through partnerships with
business and education leaders, Woody helped to open the Golden Isles
College and Career Academy. It was one of the first programs of its
kind in the entire State of Georgia. Last year, Golden Isles College
and Career Academy was named the best career academy in Georgia. That
is quite an achievement.
Clearly, our citizens, our community, and our entire state are better
off because of Woody Woodside's leadership, his dedication, and his
perseverance.
Woody, Bonnie, and I can't thank you enough for all you have done for
us personally and for the State of Georgia. We are proud to know you
and to call you our friend. We wish you and Ellen all the best in your
retirement.
I know this won't be the last time we hear of Woody Woodside.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.
