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[Page S4766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO ROBERT WILLIAMS
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today, I am honored to recognize
in the Record Mr. Robert M. Williams, Jr., who recently retired after
almost half a century as editor and publisher of the Blackshear Times
in Blackshear, GA.
While he may be a small-town newspaperman, Robert Williams is known
throughout south Georgia and across much of our State because of his
work ethic, his devotion to the printed word, and his dedication to the
newspaper business and what it means to a community. For more than 48
years, Robert has worked to be accurate, fair, and to provide his
readers with the news that affects them and the community they all
cherish. He has personally written more than 2,000 columns during his
career.
It is worth mentioning that the newspaper's motto, printed at the top
of the front page of the printed publication and online, is one Robert
has also claimed as his own: ``Liked by Many, Cussed by Some, Read by
Them All.'' With the weekly newspaper also turning 150 years this year
under Robert's leadership, both have long been widely read.
At Just 20 years old, Robert began his career at the Blackshear Times
after coming down to the community from the University of Georgia in
Athens, GA. He was brought in by two legendary Georgians themselves,
Roy Chalker, Sr., and Wilkes Williams of Waynesboro, to turn their
investment around. Turn it around he did, settling well into the
community at the same time. A short 5 years later, Robert purchased the
Blackshear Times. Under Robert's leadership during the last 48 years,
the newspaper has won hundreds of awards in a variety of categories.
Robert and his wife Cheryl have both loyally and successfully served
not only this publication, but the newspaper industry as a whole. The
Blackshear Times is one of five newspapers that Robert and Cheryl have
owned as part of their SouthFire Newspapers organization, which also
includes the Alma Times, the Charlton County Herald, the Telfair
Enterprise, and the Monroe County Reporter in Georgia. Robert and
Cheryl have both served as president of the Georgia Press Association,
our State's newspaper industry advocacy organization. Robert was also
president of the 2,300-member National Newspaper Association in 2014,
serving nationally as the voice of small-town newspapers.
Locally, Robert Williams served two terms on the Blackshear City
Council and served as executive director of both the Pierce County
Industrial Development Authority and the Pierce County Chamber of
Commerce. Robert is also a graduate of the Leadership Georgia program,
an organization we both hold dear and that has guided our service to
the State. Robert has found countless ways to give back. Whether it was
as a member of the Georgia Agriculture Exposition Authority that
governs the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry or the local college
foundation board, Robert and Cheryl have made an impact well beyond
Blackshear both professionally and personally.
Last week, Robert announced the sale of the Blackshear Times, bidding
farewell after one of the longest editorial tenures in Georgia. With
his final column as editor and publisher, Robert was incredibly
gracious, thanking his colleagues, employees, mentors, and the fine
bankers who gave him those first loans.
I speak for all Georgians when I say thank you to Robert and Cheryl
for the difference you have made in our State. I count myself lucky to
call you a friend, and Dianne and I wish you both the very best as you
plan your future.
____________________