[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S15276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LEWIS E. McCRAY

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, long-time West Alabama Planning and 
Development Council Executive Director Lewis E. McCray has announced 
his plans to retire at the end of this year. He has held the executive 
director position since October 1, 1967, when he became the first paid 
director of the council. When he was hired, the agency was known as the 
Tuscaloosa Area Council of Local Governments and its members consisted 
of Tuscaloosa County and the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport. 
Initially, the agency was funded through a program of the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  Under Lewis McCray's outstanding leadership, the agency has grown to 
a membership of 7 counties and 34 municipalities. Due to its expanded 
membership, its name was changed to the West Alabama Planning and 
Development Council in 1971. It has been designated an Economic 
Development District, Local Development District, Metropolitan Planning 
Organization, and an Area Agency on Aging. The Council also administers 
the Title V Senior AIDES Program and Community Development Block Grants 
and provides technical assistance to local governments.
  Mr. McCray has been active in many civic and professional 
organizations. His professional affiliations currently include his 
service as president of the Alabama Association of Regional Councils, 
member of the board of directors of the National Association of 
Development Organizations, member of the National Association of 
Regional Councils, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the 
Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, and the Tuscaloosa 
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
  He is a native of Hale County, AL, and was educated in the public 
schools of Moundville and at the University of Alabama. Before being 
named executive director of the council, he taught business law and 
accounting at Shelton State Community College. He also served as the 
executive assistant to the late U.S. Congressman Armistead Selden.
  I congratulate and commend Lewis McCray for an outstanding career and 
for all he has done to benefit his community, region, and State. I wish 
him all the best for a long, happy, and healthy retirement.

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