[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE BRITNELL

  Mr. HEFLIN. Madam President, Charlie Britnell, Past president of 
Northwest Community College, retired from the Alabama State School 
Board effective February 1, 1994. Charlie, a former Alabama State 
legislator, spent 28 years in the field of education.
  I wish Charlie all the best for a long, happy, and healthy 
retirement, and ask unanimous consent that an article from the January 
6 edition of the Florence, AL TimesDaily announcing his retirement and 
outlining his distinguished career be printed in the Record at this 
point.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                  [From the TimesDaily, Jan. 6, 1994]

                  Britnell Leaving State School Board

                             (By Tom Smith)

       Russellville.--Charlie Britnell said he's ready for fishing 
     and relaxation.
       Britnell, a former state legislator and past president at 
     Northwest Community College, turned in his resignation 
     Tuesday to the state school board. His resignation will be 
     effective Feb. 1.
       ``I just decided it was the time to retire, and I'm looking 
     forward to it,'' Britnell said. ``I'm getting close to 63, 
     and I've just had my 13th grandchild. That, plus some 
     lingering health problems, helped me make the decision.''
       Britnell, who has spent 28 years in the education field, 
     said his retirement plans are flexible but he plans to do a 
     lot of fishing and more traveling with his wife.
       He said it's been more than 20 years since he ``set a 
     hook'' on the lakes of Franklin County.
       ``I plan on doing something about that,'' he said. ``I'm 
     ready to do some fishing and just stay active. I plan to be 
     active in church work and in community activities. The 
     community has been very supportive of me and my family over 
     these years, and I want to give something back to them.''
       Britnell, who has traveled to Russia on mission work, said 
     he plans to return to Russia and Siberia during retirement.
       ``It's a new phase in my life, and I'm looking forward to 
     it,'' he said.
       Britnell has worked five years in the Franklin County 
     school system and 22 at Northwest Community College, 
     including 12 as the school's president. He spent last year 
     working as the executive assistant to Dr. Fred Gainous, 
     chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary 
     Education.
       ``During more than two decades of service in the Alabama 
     college system as a counselor, instructor, president and 
     executive assistant to the chancellor, Dr. Britnell has 
     demonstrated exemplary service and leadership,'' Gainous 
     said. ``As president of Northwest Community College for over 
     12 years, the college experienced sustained growth and three 
     reaffirmations for accreditation were granted.''
       Gainous said Britnell was ``a dedicated and invaluable 
     asset'' to the Alabama college system and will be missed.
       ``Throughout his tenure he has always maintained a clear 
     and focused commitment to students,'' Gainous said. 
     ``Students who have matriculated at Northwest have indeed had 
     an asset in Dr. Britnell for a number of years. I am certain 
     that he will be missed by students, faculty and 
     administrators alike.''
       Britnell, a native of Franklin County, served in the state 
     Legislature for three terms. He was elected to the state 
     Senate in 1978 and then elected to the state House in 1983, 
     where he served two terms.
       In February 1992, Britnell was replaced as president of 
     Northwest's Phil Campbell and Hamilton campuses by Dr. Larry 
     McCoy and Dr. Harold Wade after Britnell requested a 
     reassignment following heart bypass surgery.

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