Legislation Honoring Nell Patten Roquemore Passes House

My legislation to rename the Lakeland Post Office after Ms. Nell Patten Roquemore passed the House by a vote of 368-2!

Ms. Roquemore was the epitome of a public servant, and renaming the Lakeland Post Office after her is a way to commemorate her significant and lasting impact on Lanier County.

During her career, Ms. Roquemore served as the Lakeland Postmaster, Mayor Pro Tem of Lakeland, secretary to Generals at Moody Air Force Base, and was a local school teacher. She was also involved with many local initiatives and organizations.

The Lakeland Post Office is now one step closer to being the Nell Patten Roquemore Post Office!

Read more here.

Honoring our Service Academy Appointees

It was an honor to celebrate the appointments of nine of my nominees to attend our nation's Service Academies last week. Our district is home to many young patriots, and I am proud they are choosing to serve our country.

Please join me in congratulating the following students who were appointed to the below distinguished U.S. Service Academies:

U.S. Air Force Academy:

Jeremy Blute of Houston County High School
Ryan Rackley of Valwood School
Bryson Reade of Tift County High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:

Mackenzie Riordan of Veterans High School
Range Robinson of Coffee High School

U.S. Military Academy:

Noah Busch of Jones County High School
James Cairney of Bleckley County High School
Maria Knapp of GMC Preparatory School

U.S. Naval Academy:

Griffin Moore of Stratford Academy

Meeting with the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce

Last week, the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce flew up to D.C. to discuss local priorities for our district.

Valdosta Mayor Scott Matheson, as well as other city and county officials and local stakeholders, highlighted their initiatives to improve economic and industrial development in Lowndes County. It was also great to meet with representatives from Valdosta State University and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.  

Speaking in Favor of Renaming Lakeland Post Office After Ms. Nell Patten Roquemore

Valdosta Daily Times | LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Scott a champion for Georgia farmers

"In the late hours of May 23 and into the morning of May 24, 2024, U.S. Congressman Austin Scott was fighting for Georgia farmers in Washington, D.C. In those hours, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, on which Congressman Scott serves as vice chair, passed the 2024 Farm Bill which included multiple provisions to help the peanut industry including an increase in the Price Loss Coverage program reference price.

As a Board member of the Georgia Peanut Commission, I have had multiple opportunities to communicate with Congressman Scott about the needs of the peanut industry. He has met with our leadership on our farms, in farm bill listening sessions, and in working sessions during our trips to Washington. He heard our concerns, and he made sure the needs of peanut growers of South Georgia were represented.

We are fortunate to have Congressman Scott serving as a leader on the committee that has the greatest impact on our livelihoods and on the Georgia agriculture industry. While the legislative battle is not over, I thank Congressman Scott for being on our team and for advocating for Georgia farmers, agribusinesses, and farm families."

Read more here.

The Tifton Gazette | U.S. house votes to rename Lakeland post office for Roquemore

"The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill Monday to honor the town’s former postmaster by naming the local post office after her.

The bill — HR 6983 — to rename the building the 'Nell Patten Roquemore Post Office' now goes to the Senate."

Read more here.