[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H12879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING JUDY W. STEVENS FOR HER WORK AND DEDICATION TO ECONOMIC 
                              DEVELOPMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate and praise an 
individual who has dedicated herself to improving North Carolina. Judy 
Stevens is a remarkable person in many ways, and I want to acknowledge 
her accomplishments and efforts in economic development.
  Judy grew up in Star, North Carolina, located in Montgomery County. 
She attended East Montgomery High School and continued her education at 
Randolph Community College. She is a certified economic developer from 
the Economic Development Institute, which is administered by the 
University of Oklahoma.
  Judy began her work in the economic development field when she 
accepted a job as administrative assistant for the director of the 
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation in 1992. With her 
strong knowledge of the county and its people, combined with her 
knowledge of economic development, she quickly excelled at her job; so 
fast, that by 1993 she became the director of the EDC.
  Any good leader knows that success depends upon the efforts of many. 
Judy created the Committee of 100, a group of business leaders 
throughout the county who were willing to invest time and money in 
recruiting new businesses to Montgomery County. Long-term success 
depends on future leadership. She established the Leadership Montgomery 
Program for Adults and Youth through the Montgomery County Chamber of 
Congress, which is currently in its 10th year.
  Judy Stevens is someone who understands that economic development 
success requires cooperation across political jurisdictional lines. In 
her own county, Judy is currently working on a project to develop a 
regional wastewater system for the towns of Boscpe, Star, and Troy. In 
the past, this type of cooperation was not common. However, with Judy's 
determination and leadership, folks are willing to come to the table 
and work for the good of the entire area.
  Most recently, Judy has taken on a much larger task by leading the 
eighth district's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, CEDS, 
project. CEDS is a program sponsored by the Economic Development 
Administration, which seeks to develop a regional plan of action to 
attract investment and to create jobs. The committee is comprised of 
local economic development, education, and chamber officials.
  Judy has worked tirelessly with the members of the CEDS committee to 
develop a final recommendation to present to EDA. I am pleased to tell 
you that because of her effort and strong leadership, the community has 
come to consensus on a proposal that will serve as a blueprint for 
regional economic development for the Eighth District of North Carolina 
and the rest of the country. I look forward to working with her and the 
CEDS committee as we put this plan into action.
  Judy's hard work and talent have been recognized across the State. In 
1999, she was named Economic Developer of the Year for North Carolina 
by the North Carolina Economic Developers Association. This recognition 
displays the type of commitment and dedication Judy puts into her job 
and into her community.
  Mr. Speaker, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Judy Stevens' 
tireless dedication and her desire to increase the quality of life for 
Montgomery County, the eighth district, and North Carolina as a whole. 
She has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help create and 
sustain economic development; and as a citizen of North Carolina, I 
join many in sincerely thanking her.
  I would also like to acknowledge Judy's family that has been there 
backing her in every effort and success. Judy has a loving family. The 
Stevens family includes her husband, Gerald, along with their two sons, 
a daughter, and three grandsons. I am sure they are as proud as I am of 
her many accomplishments and her dedication to her profession.

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