[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF J.E. ``GENE'' SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
J.E. ``Gene'' Smith, a national and community leader who is retiring 
from almost thirty years of service with the Choctawhatchee Electric 
Cooperative. Gene spent his career serving others and giving back to 
our community, and I am proud to honor this dedication and service.
  As the son of a gas utility worker, Gene became interested in utility 
work at a young age. He began his career with Huntsville Utilities in 
Huntsville, Alabama before moving to another utility job in Jefferson 
City, Tennessee. By the time Gene was 28, he was manager of a 
Sweetwater, Tennessee utility. In 1978, he moved to the world of 
electric cooperatives and went to work as the general manager of 
Escambia River Electric Cooperative in Jay, Florida. Three years later, 
Gene moved a few miles east to DeFuniak Springs to work for the 
Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO). He has served as Chief 
Executive Officer and General Manager of CHELCO since 1981.
  While at CHELCO, Gene has made a lasting impression on the electric 
cooperative community. He served on the board of the National Rural 
Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation from 1988 to 1993 with two 
years spent as the board's president. He also served on the board of 
the National Cooperative Services Corporation from 1995 to 2003 and as 
a trustee on the PowerSouth Energy Cooperative Board, representing 
CHELCO since 1981. Gene has been chairman of the Florida Electric 
Cooperative Association and the National Food and Energy Council Board. 
Because of his outstanding work on behalf of electric cooperatives, 
Gene was featured in American Executive Magazine in 2007. In February, 
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Board of 
Directors will present Gene with the Clyde T. Ellis Award. This award 
recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty in 
furthering the principles and progress of rural electrification and the 
development and utilization of natural resources.
  Beyond his expansive career accomplishments, Gene Smith has spent a 
lifetime dedicated to community service. He serves on the United Way of 
Okaloosa and Walton Counties, the Board of Trustees of Northwest 
Florida State College, the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council 
Executive Committee, and the Rotary Club. He is also a very active 
member of the All Sports organization which raises money for local 
youth-oriented non-profit organizations with an emphasis on sports. 
Local beneficiaries include the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Special 
Olympics.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
to recognize Gene Smith for his service to the people of the United 
States. He is a dedicated community servant and national business 
leader. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for Gene and his family 
as they embark on this next endeavor in their lives.

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