[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE METROPOLITAN HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCY'S 
  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GERALD NICELY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT 
                     AFTER THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Gerald Nicely, 
Executive Director of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency 
(MDHA) in Nashville on the occasion of his retirement after more than 
thirty years of service to Metropolitan/Davidson County Tennessee 
Government.
  I consider Mr. Nicely a longtime friend and have had the opportunity 
to work with him on housing issues for Tennesseans a number of times. 
One of the most important projects we worked on together was securing 
significant federal funding for the revitalization of the Vine Hill 
Homes through the HOPE VI funding effort. Additionally, our continued 
cooperation resulted in millions of federal housing dollars being 
allocated to Middle Tennessee for numerous programs and housing 
improvements.
  His accomplishments include outstanding leadership overseeing key 
downtown projects such as construction of Adelphia Stadium, the new 
downtown library, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the convention 
center, Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Gaylord Entertainment 
Center Arena. He also directed renovations at the historic Ryman 
Auditorium and the revitalization of the Riverfront Park area. These 
marked improvements under Nicely's direction have resulted in the 
highest praise from his peers and residents of the community as well as 
awards on the local, state, and national levels.
  A native of East Tennessee, Gerald Nicely received his bachelor and 
masters degrees in Economics from the University of Tennessee. The 
Metropolitan Planning Commission hired him as Staff Economist in 1968, 
and by 1979, he was promoted to Director of the Housing Development 
Division, beginning a twenty-two year run managing MDHA. His tenure as 
director was interrupted only once, in 1993-1994, when he was named 
Chief of Staff for then Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen.
  Nicely has always believed in giving back to the community through 
attendance and service on various boards and civic organizations. For 
instance, he currently serves as founding board member of the Nashville 
Housing Fund and the Nashville Homestead Corporation; as charter board 
member of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Affordable Housing 
of Nashville, Inc.; and on the board of the Metropolitan Action 
Commission. A past president of the Public Housing Authorities 
Directors Association, today he serves as trustee for that 
organization. Additionally, he served two terms on the board of the 
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA).
  Membership in civic organizations includes the Downtown Rotary Club 
of Nashville; the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; the National 
Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; the Tennessee 
Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities; Urban Land 
Institute; and Leadership Nashville Alumni Association.
  As Director of MDHA, Nicely met the ongoing challenge of overseeing 
the public housing authority, as well as directing efforts to 
revitalize and renew urban areas, purchase land and design projects 
throughout the county. His fortitude, vision, and professionalism as an 
administrator have helped propel Nashville forward into the 21st 
Century.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my sincerest wishes for future success to Mr. 
Nicely and his family on this momentous occasion and I yield back the 
balance of my time.

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