[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING AL AUSTIN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 9, 2008

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate the life of one of Tampa Bay's finest citizens, Al Austin, 
ont he occasion of his upcoming 80th birthday.
   A lifelong Floridian, Al grew up on his family's egg farm in St. 
Petersburg. After his high school graduation and college at the 
University of Tampa, Al joined the Coast Guard, where he performed 
admirably in service to our Nation.
  Following his military service, Al partnered with his family to start 
a real estate development busienss in the Tampa Bay region. Since then 
his family-owned company has contined to grow and helped build the 
greater Tampa community. Without his influence the Tampa St. Pete 
region would not be the economic growth engine for the State that it is 
today.
  In addition to his success in real estate, Al and his wife Beverly 
share a passion for education. After founding the Tampa Preparatory 
School in the 1970s, they went on to lead fundraising campaigns for the 
refurbishment and growth of the University of Tampa campus. Their 
commitment to local charitable organizations has truly benefitted 
thousands of people throughout the region.
  In his spare time, Al loves to collect and drive classic sports cars. 
He has also earned a reputation as one of the leading Republicans in 
Florida, having worked with State and national leaders for the past 40 
years to help grow and expand the party. Al has also served various 
Florida Governors throughout his career as the head of the Florida 
Racing Commission, a member of the Hillsborough Aviation Authority as 
well as serving on the Military Base Closure Advisory Committee.
  Madam Speaker, I know that Al's upcoming birthday celebration will 
commemorate a lifetime of hard work and service to others. He has a 
proven track record of giving back and helping to make Florida and our 
Nation better and more prosperous places. I know that the House will 
join me in wishing Al a happy 80th birthday, with many more to come in 
the future.

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