A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that if passed, would rename the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia after the late President of the Georgia Poultry Federation, Francis “Abit” Massey.
The bill, H.R. 9242, was introduced by Reps. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Georgia, and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Georgia.
Massey died died June 14, 2024, at the age of 96. He served as president of the Georgia Poultry Federation for 48 years and was recognized statewide for his leadership in the agricultural community. Massey was instrumental in establishing Georgia as a leading chicken producer, which is now a $4.2 billion industry.
“Earlier this summer, Georgia lost a giant of the poultry and agriculture industry. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Abit Massey over many years and was witness to his visionary leadership that has left an indelible mark on our state and country. This bill rightfully honors the man and his legacy, and I proudly join my friend and colleague, Congressman Buddy Carter in this bipartisan effort to rename the USDA poultry facility in Athens after Abit Massey,” said Bishop.
“Abit Massey was a Georgia icon who is already deeply missed. His dedication to our agricultural industry cannot be overstated, rightfully earning him the nickname ‘Dean of the poultry industry.’ No one supported Georgia farmers more than Massey, and this renaming will help preserve his memory and influence for generations to come,” Carter said.
For his dedication to Georgia’s agricultural community, he was recognized with the 1986 University of Georgia Alumni Merit Award, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 2012 Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award, and the inaugural Medallion of Honor for Service to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. Most recently, the University of Georgia announced in late 2023 that it was naming a classroom at the university's new poultry science building after Massey.
The Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network sits on Abit Massey Way, just off state Route 365 in Gainesville, Georgia.
The bill has been co-sponsored by other members of Georgia’s congressional delegation, including Republican Reps. Mike Collins, Drew Ferguson, Rich McCormick, Barry Loudermilk, Austin Scott, Rick Allen and Majorie Taylor Greene; and Democratic Reps. Hank Johnson, Nikema Williams, Lucy McBath and David Scott.
