RECOGNIZING MR. ARSBURN "OZ" RAYNARD ROBERTS

RECOGNIZING MR. ARSBURN "OZ" RAYNARD ROBERTS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 50 (Thursday, March 19, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 50 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E245-E246] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING MR. ARSBURN ``OZ'' RAYNARD ROBERTS ______ HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. of georgia in the house of representatives Thursday, March 19, 2026 Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose life and work have enriched our community and lifted the lives of countless Americans--Arsburn ``Oz'' Raynard Roberts--who, after 43 years of distinguished service at Aflac, now retires as the company's Historian. An event to celebrate his remarkable career will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the AFLAC Worldwide Headquarters in Columbus, Georgia. Oz's story is one of creativity, commitment, and compassionate service. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, he brought artistry and vision to every role he held. For over 35 years he served as Second Vice President and Executive Producer of Event Productions and Audiovisual Services at Aflac Worldwide Headquarters in Columbus, Georgia. An Emmy Award- winning producer and director, an award-winning photographer and graphic designer, Oz turned corporate events into moments of dignity and joy, and he turned the ordinary into the unforgettable. Through four decades of work, Oz produced and orchestrated events for world leaders, beloved entertainers, civil rights icons, and champions of sport--from Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush to Ambassador Andrew Young; from poet Dr. Maya Angelou and civil- rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery to Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf; from Gladys Knight and Earth, Wind & Fire to Super Bowl Champions Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. He made the Aflac stage a place where excellence met humanity, and where people felt seen and honored. Oz's influence extends far beyond Aflac's walls. He served the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant as vice president of the board of trustees, producer/director, and vice president of scholarship and fundraising. He has judged Miss America state preliminaries across the Nation and contributed to scholarship pageants that open doors for young people. He has been a leader in civic and cultural life--on the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, the Riverside Theater Advisory Council, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Board of Trustees, the Columbus Ballet Board, the Hardaway High School Alumni Association, and many more-- bringing passion, stewardship, and an unwavering belief in the power of the arts and education. A stalwart in fraternal and community organizations, Oz is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has served as chapter president of Delta Iota Lambda, and chairs the Columbus chapter of 100 Black Men of America and the Annual Black History Observance Committee. His many honors--Photographer of the Year, Global Leadership Award, Outstanding Leadership and Service recognitions from PanHellenic and local institutions, the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service, and Man of the Year from the Not a Bad Apple Foundation--reflect a lifetime of leadership and selfless service. It has been said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Oz has paid his rent, and he has paid it well. But titles and awards only tell part of Oz's story. Those who know him remember his steady presence, his generous mentorship to young professionals, and the way he transformed technical production into human connection. He taught others that true success is measured not in applause but in the opportunities, you create for others--in the scholarships awarded, careers launched, stages shared, and communities strengthened. On a personal note, Oz has been a friend for many years. What I have always admired about Oz is that he steps up when he sees a need in the community. I will be forever grateful for his commitment, fidelity, and his friendship. Oz has accomplished many things in life, but none of it would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his wife Vanessa (VJ) and his daughter, Jessica. As he steps into retirement from a remarkable Aflac tenure that spanned four decades and touched presidents, community leaders, entertainers, and thousands of coworkers, [[Page E246]] we salute a husband, a father, a friend, and a cultural steward whose work at Aflac has left an indelible mark on Columbus, the region, and our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in honoring Arsburn ``Oz'' Raynard Roberts for 43 years of extraordinary service at Aflac--for his creativity, leadership, and unwavering devotion to community. We thank him, we celebrate him, and we wish him and his family joy and blessing in the years ahead. ____________________