[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RETIREMENT OF MR. DAVID B. HARRITY

 Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself 
and my good friend and colleague, the senior Senator from New 
Hampshire, Judd Gregg, to extend our congratulations to Mr. David B. 
Harrity on the occasion of his retirement from the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development.
  Dave has had an exemplary career in Federal service, devoting more 
than 34 years to our Nation. Because of his dedication to duty, Dave 
rose through the ranks at HUD and retires today as director of the New 
Hampshire field office. Dave's accomplishments are not limited to his 
decades of Federal service, but extend to the difference he has made in 
the lives of countless citizens. His years of leadership and generosity 
have helped make Manchester, NH, the strong and vibrant community it is 
today.
  Dave began his service with HUD at its inception in 1965, starting in 
the Philadelphia field office where he provided assistance to the 
people of Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. From there, Dave moved 
to HUD's Boston regional office where, in 1971, he became the first 
low-rent housing specialist in New England and worked in close concert 
with all of the local housing authorities in each of the six New 
England States.
  When HUD created the Executive Identification and Development Program 
in 1974, Dave was one of only 21 individuals selected from a national 
competition of more than 700 to participate in the leadership training. 
After completing and receiving a certificate from the Urban Executive 
Program of the Sloan Management School at the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology, Dave was appointed special assistant to the Regional 
Administrator in 1975.
  In 1978, Dave was tapped to serve as the director of the Housing 
Development and Management Divisions of the Hartford, CT, HUD Field 
Office. Dave's team of staff professionals worked closely with HUD 
customers, providing mortgage insurance, housing subsidies, and 
management oversight of federally assisted housing. In 1988, Dave moved 
on to an opportunity with the State of Connecticut's Department of 
Housing. In this position, he administered HUD's Section 8 Existing 
Certificate and the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant 
Programs.
  In October of 1992, Dave was appointed Manager of HUD's Manchester 
office by then-Secretary Jack Kemp. Dave's managerial style has been 
and continues to be, one of working with, and in support of, local 
officials to ensure that each city and town in New Hampshire receives 
the maximum benefit from HUD's programs. While protecting the Federal 
Government's interests, Dave has instilled in his staff a willingness 
to find ways to allow local officials to administer HUD's programs in a 
manner which best meets the specific needs of New Hampshire's 
residents. Because of Dave's leadership skills, a recent Quality 
Management Review of the Manchester office resulted in one of the 
highest overall ratings of any HUD office in the Nation.
  Besides the help he provides the men and women of New Hampshire 
through his service at HUD, Dave's philosophy of giving is reflected in 
a number of other community activities. He is president of the board of 
directors of ``The CareGivers, Inc.'' a nonprofit organization serving 
the Manchester and Nashua areas of the Granite State and whose mission 
is ``helping the frail, elderly and disabled to maintain their 
independence and dignity.'' He is also the past president of the New 
Hampshire Federal Executive Association and is a leader within the 
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. As another part of his 
community participation, Dave serves as a ``Granite State Ambassador,'' 
greeting visitors to New Hampshire at information kiosks in both the 
airport and downtown Manchester. He is also a member of the board of 
directors of the Manchester Rotary Club.
  Dave's career has truly been an inspiration to those who look to form 
a better future through active participation in the community. While 
Senator Gregg and I trust Dave will enjoy his retirement with his wife 
Patricia, and being able to spend more time with his daughters Suzanne 
and Tracey and his grandsons Ryan and Thomas, we also know he will not 
cease giving of himself in service to his fellow man.
  On behalf of the citizens of Manchester and of the Granite State, 
Senator Gregg and I congratulate David Harrity and thank him for all he 
has done for his community, the State of New Hampshire, and the 
Nation.

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