[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HILDA GAY LEGG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 26, 2005

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of the true diamonds working inside the rough and tumble granite 
rock of the Federal Government that will be leaving her post on January 
31, 2005. The gem I'm referring to is Adair County, Kentucky, native 
and USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator, Hilda Gay Legg.
  I had the privilege of working closely with Hilda prior to her 
appointment to RUS. She served as executive director and CEO of the 
Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky, from 1994 until 
October 2001. Hilda provided true leadership by turning an upstart 
conference site into a world class community-oriented interactive 
center. In that position, she helped develop and implement a broadband 
telecommunications program in rural communities throughout southern and 
eastern Kentucky. The Center grew to manage 40 Internet centers that 
offer high speed, interactive video conferencing and community access 
to computers. Thanks to the solid foundation built by Hilda, those 
activities continue today.
  In 2001, President George W. Bush tapped Hilda as the 15th person, 
and first woman, to serve as the Administrator of the Rural 
Electrification Administration--Rural Utilities Service. Shortly 
thereafter, Congress passed the landmark 2002 Farm Bill which in turn 
launched a number of new RUS initiatives including a broadband loan and 
grant program, energy efficiency grants, weather radio grants, and 
local television guarantees. Hilda took these new responsibilities in 
stride, leading the agency with professionalism and accomplishing much 
of our agenda.
  While Administrator, Hilda approved some 5,570 loans and grants 
totaling nearly $20 billion. These funds will improve water quality in 
communities throughout America, provide access to top-level treatment 
in our rural health clinics, and give our schools Internet access to 
the world. Under her faithful and deliberate watch RUS programs 
increased by nearly 60 percent while loan delinquency was a mere .1 
percent. Hilda's leadership also improved loan processing efficiency, 
set in motion an intense review of risk management, and accomplished 
much toward President Bush's goals in the areas of efficient and 
effective management, broadband deployment, energy independence, and 
job creation in rural America.
  Hilda has never ceased to serve as an advocate for rural America and 
she has done so with remarkable class, spunk, and spirit. As her legacy 
still remains at the Center for Rural Development, I am confident it 
will also remain at RUS and in communities throughout the nation that 
have been touched by her efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, although the Federal Government is losing out with 
Hilda's retirement, I can selfishly say I am thrilled that this 
precious gem is coming home to Kentucky.

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