PHOTOS: Senator Reverend Warnock Carries On Johnny Isakson Bipartisan Legacy, Co-Hosts Senate Bipartisan Barbecue Lunch for Second Straight Year

Yesterday, Senator Reverend Warnock, a champion of bipartisan cooperation, co-hosted the Annual Bipartisan Members Barbecue, bringing together Senators from across the aisle over Georgia barbecue

*Senator Reverend Warnock**: “Johnny Isakson wasn’t afraid to bring us together. He was committed to Georgia. He was a patriot, a consummate and public servant, and a gentleman.”*

Last year, Senator Warnock re-launched the late Senator Isakson’s tradition of hosting a barbecue lunch for all Senators to foster fellowship and bipartisanship

The lunch was provided by the premier pit masters at South 40 Smokehouse in Marietta and Bub-Ba-Q Restaurant in Woodstock

Senator Reverend Warnock is rated as one of the ten most bipartisan Democratic senators according to the Lugar Center

ICYMI from the Marietta Daily Journal: “U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, carried on a Cobb County tradition in Washington, hosting his second bipartisan barbecue luncheon on Capitol Hill. The annual get-together was started years ago by the late Sen. Johnny Isakson, and was picked up again by Warnock last year.”

Bipartisan BBQ Event (Official U.S. Senate photo by Rosa Pineda)

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) co-hosted the Annual Bipartisan Members Barbecue, bringing together Senators from across the aisle over the unifying power of Georgia barbecue. Thursday’s lunch builds on last year’s barbecue, which Senator Warnock re-launched to honor Senator Isakson’s tradition of hosting a barbecue lunch for all Senators that helps foster fellowship and bipartisanship in the chamber. The lunch was provide by South 40 Smokehouse in Marietta and Bub-Ba-Q Restaurant in Woodstock. The lunch was co-hosted by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

*Bipartisan BBQ Event (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)*

Senator Warnock is rated as one of the ten most bipartisan Democratic senators according to the non-profit Lugar Center. The Senator worked closely with Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) to secure full funding for Savannah CRTC in the draft government funding bill after it was put on the chopping block; collaborated with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to successfully include their Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act in the FY ’22 annual funding package; and partnered with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to pass a provision turning I-14 between Texas and Georgia into a high-priority corridor. Additionally, the Senator has prioritized working across the aisle to achieve agriculture and forestry priorities, including bipartisan introductions of the Beagle Brigade Act, Farm to Base Food Security Act, and Disaster Reforestation Act.

See below a transcript of Senator Reverend Warnock’s opening blessing:

“Hello everybody. Thank you so very much.

“I’m deeply honored to join Senator Coons, Senator Graham, and Senator Blunt in organizing this annual barbecue in honor of Senator Johnny Isakson.

“First let me thank the folks who cooked the food — they’re from Georgia. We have South 40 Smokehouse and also Bub-Ba-Q — all from Marietta.

“I got to know Johnny Isakson pretty well. I counted him a friend and someone who possessed the kind of honor and character and commitment that we’d hope that people would bring to public service.

“I’m honored that a number of the people who worked for him continue to work in that office for me. And that they continue the work of constituent service and all kinds of services on behalf of the citizens of Georgia.

“The first time I stood in the chamber of the United States Senate, I came as Johnny Isakson’s guest — as the chaplain of the day.

“And he never ever missed worship on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Ebenezer Baptist Church. As the pastor of that church, I hosted politicians. I continue to host folks who come every year.

“A lot of folks come, but Johnny Isakson came every year. Not only did he come every year, he stayed for the whole service. And let me tell you that even by Baptist standards, that service is long. Its run by the King Center and the King family and I am happy to host. But it is a long service and he would come in and stay the entire time.

“Johnny Isakson wasn’t afraid to bring us together. He was committed to Georgia. He was a patriot, a consummate and public servant, and a gentleman.

“It is appropriate that he is doing in death what he did so well in life — bringing us together.

“So, I was asked to bless the food. I’m aware that many of us have already eaten it. But would you bow with me in prayer.

“God, you are known by many names. Worshipped in many houses. But we confess that in You, we live, move, and have our being. Give us now the vision of one who said he stood on a hill. There was a great multitude gathered there. Diverse in their humanity, they looked into each other’s eyes and they were not afraid. And I said to the one standing there, ‘sir, what is this?’ And the answer came ‘this is the kingdom of God imbued with love and justice.’ And so I asked ‘where is this?’ And the answer came ‘it exists already in the hearts of those who have the courage to believe and struggle. And so I asked ‘when is this?’ And he answered ‘when we learn a simple story of loving one another as sisters and brothers.’ And so gracious God, let it be and even as we dine, help us to create a world where everyone can eat. Amen”

###