Congressman Bishop Receives Big Check For Housing In Second Congressional District

Washington, D.C. - Georgia’s Second District Congressman, Rep. Sanford Bishop, considers meeting the men and women of the U.S. Military to be “part of the job” but, usually, he meets brigades or platoons at a time, or hosts military representatives in his Capitol Hill office to discuss specific legislative issues. So, yesterday was particularly special for both the Congressman and Spc. Dontavius McGee, 21, of Pelham, GA, as the Congressman gave him a tour of the White House and U.S. Capitol. Spc. McGee is currently living in Washington, D.C., at an outpatient facility of Walter Reed Army Medical Center while recuperating from a knee injury suffered in Ceder II, Nasiriyah, Iraq.

“I was humbled to meet Spc. McGee. He has served this country honorably, and showing him part of Washington was the least I could do to thank him for his service. I was proud to have him as my guest and I wish him a healthy and speedy recovery,” said Bishop.

After visiting the White House early this morning, McGee then visited Congressman Bishop’s office on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Capitol building –where he witnessed some spirited debate over the Defense Authorization bill – and ate lunch in the Member’s Dining Room.

“It’s so nice to get off the Walter Reed campus for the day and finally see some sights in Washington,” said McGee, who has been at the facility since March 18. He added, “The White House was very nice. But the floor of the House of Representatives – well, there seemed to be a lot going on down there!”

McGee, who spent 11 months in Iraq with the 214th Field Artillery Unit of the Army National Guard based out of Elberton, GA, is a graduate of Pelham High School in Mitchell County. He joined the Army National Guard while still in high school and spent less than one semester at Darton College before being called up to go to Iraq. During his tour of duty there, he earned the name “Go Getter” because “I was always out there getting at it, no matter what,” said McGee.

Next month, he will undergo surgery to repair a torn muscle in his knee and subsequently will either return to Pelham, or remain in Washington, D.C. for physical therapy. McGee has enjoyed his time in the nation’s capital and does not yet know where he will go to complete his therapy. He is planning, however, to be off crutches and “walking, definitely” very soon.

He is the son of Sharnta Atkins and Willie Atkins, both of Pelham.