[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOHNNIE AYCOCK

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                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 
contributions of Johnnie Aycock, the President and CEO of the Chamber 
of Commerce of West Alabama, for his dedicated and tireless work to 
bring greater opportunity to the people of our region and State. 
Johnnie has announced plans to retire from the Chamber effective March 
21, 2011 after 28 years of exemplary service.
  During Johnnie's tenure, the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce has 
earned statewide recognition and respect for economic and workforce 
development, education initiatives and innovation in community 
development programming. West Alabama has enjoyed significant economic 
achievements, from the recruitment of large manufacturing plants to the 
development of many new small businesses. Johnnie's ability to build 
partnerships among the private sector, educational institutions, and 
government has been an integral part of this success.
  Johnnie has stressed the importance of business leaders being active 
in public affairs and in their communities. He founded Leadership 
Tuscaloosa, which has trained more than 900 citizens in leadership. He 
has served on the Alabama Governor's Commission on Existing Industries 
and as Co-Chair of the Committee on Tax, Incentives & Fiscal Policy and 
has freely given of his time and talents to numerous civic 
organizations including the Alabama Jaycees, the Literacy Council of 
West Alabama, Junior Achievement, and the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa. 
Johnnie has been recognized for his outstanding work with honors that 
include the Phi Delta Kappa's Outstanding Citizen For Education in 
Tuscaloosa County, the Tuscaloosa Advertising Federation's Bronze Oak 
Wreath Award for Community Service, the Outstanding Commitment to 
Public Service Award from the University of Alabama, and induction into 
the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame.
  A skilled communicator, Johnnie is the author of ``Tuscaloosa: The 
Tradition, The Spirit, The Vision'' and a contributor to the book, 
``Tuscaloosa: Centennial Progress, Millennial Hopes.'' He has been a 
columnist for the Tuscaloosa Business Ink Magazine, Planet Weekly, and 
Tuscaloosa Christian Family Magazine and for 7 years wrote a weekly 
column for the Tuscaloosa News.
  Johnnie Aycock is a graduate of Auburn University and the Institute 
of Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame. He is also 
a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North 
Carolina. Johnnie is a former member of the faculty of the Kettering 
Foundation's Public Policy Institute and has served as an adjunct 
professor at Stillman College's Management Institute.
  The sound economic base and high quality of life that distinguishes 
West Alabama can be traced in no small part to the energy and 
enthusiasm of Johnnie Aycock. It is has been my pleasure to work with 
Johnnie on many economic development, education, and service 
initiatives during my time in Congress. Though Johnnie is retiring from 
his leadership position at the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, I have 
no doubt that he will continue to be a devoted servant to the community 
that he so dearly loves.

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