Sanford Dixon Bishop in the 119th Congress. [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 63 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E305] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office
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RECOGNIZING KARLA HEATH-SANDS ON HER GEORGIA BROADCASTERS HALL OF FAME
INDUCTION
HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate a remarkable Georgian and beloved broadcaster, Karla Heath-Sands, upon her induction into the 2026 Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame on March 27, 2026, at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Heath Johnson. A bright and determined student, she attended St. Athanasius Episcopal Church Kindergarten, Sidney Lanier Elementary School, Glynn Middle School, and Glynn Academy High School before earning her B.A. in English from Mercer University. From those small coastal-town beginnings, Karla set forth on a life of purpose, poise, and public service.
Georgia have welcomed Karla into their homes—at noon, in the evening, and in the quiet of reflection—because she brought more than headlines and weather reports; she brought heart. Beginning her broadcasting career in 1989 at WMAZ-TV and joining WALB in 1997, Karla became a steady, compassionate voice on the air: anchor of the noon newscast and host of “Dialogue,” a program that lifted up community concerns, brought neighbors together, and reminded us that every person's story matters.
Karla's career has been one of many stages and many calls to serve. She has sung on stages from Six Flags to international festivals, competed in pageants with dignity, appeared on national programs, and lent her talent to music and ministry alike. Her gifts earned her the Georgia Association of Broadcasters' “GABBY” award for Best On-Air Personality and now, a rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Yet the awards tell only a small part of the story.
community. She is a devoted member of Bethel AME Church, a former board member of Girls, Inc. of Albany and Albany Technical College, a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and an active member of the Albany chapter of The Links, Inc. Karla's work has inspired young women, uplifted civic life, and strengthened the cultural fabric of our region.
Through every accomplishment, Karla has been sustained by family. She is the loving wife of W. Louis Sands, Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, and a proud mother of two. Their partnership has been one of mutual support—a marriage that has shown our community what it means to balance public responsibilities with private devotion. The care and encouragement they give one another are as much a part of Karla's legacy as her voice on the air.
Today, we celebrate a life that has used platform for purpose. Karla Heath-Sands has taught us how to tell stories with compassion, to ask the right questions with humility, and to amplify the hopes of those whose voices might otherwise go unheard. Her induction into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame is not only an honor of a career well done—it is an affirmation of a life spent lifting others.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian, and me along with the more that than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in congratulating Karla Heath-Sands on this distinguished recognition and in giving thanks for her unwavering commitment to truth, service, and community. May her example continue to light the way for young broadcasters and public servants across our state and Nation.