[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MR. PHILLIP C. HOUSTON IN HONOR OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE 
                GREENE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE AUSTRIA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. AUSTRIA. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's seventh 
congressional district, I am honored to recognize Mr. Phillip C. 
Houston for his 32 years of dedicated service to Greene County and 
congratulate him on his recent retirement.
  Phil Houston grew up in the Akron area. He received his Bachelor's 
Degree from Olivet Nazarene College and a Master of Public 
Administration from Central Michigan University.
  Throughout his 23 years as Director of the Department of Development 
for the Greene County Board of Commissioners, Phil has seen the 
department form into a full-service economic development organization 
that provides services in: small business loan assistance, structured 
retention and expansion, tourism, and housing down-payment assistance 
and education.
  Originally, Greene County hired Phil to direct its annual $3 million 
comprehensive Employment and Training Act Program, funds that were in 
jeopardy of being revoked by the U.S. Department of Labor. Within two 
years, Phil had remedied all the problems and his department was 
acknowledged for having taken appropriate steps to course-correct.
  Thanks to Phil's stewardship, the county generated a fundamental 
Economic Development Plan, and worked with the four cities, six 
villages and 12 townships throughout Greene County to consolidate their 
efforts to improve the county. In just the past few years, more than 40 
projects ranging from infrastructure improvements to community building 
renovations and code enforcement have been accomplished through Greene 
County's Community Development Block Grant Program with Phil's 
oversight and direction.
  Though he has made a career for himself in public service, Phil still 
managed to give back to his community as a volunteer. He has been 
involved with the American Economic Development Council, the Small 
Business. Administration, and the Dayton Area Technology Network. He 
has served as a member of the County Budget Review Committee, County 
Adult Day Care Board, County Jail Advisory Committee, Greene County 
Board of Education Business Advisory Committee, and the Adult Education 
Committee for Greene County's Career Center.
  Phil's efforts have not gone unnoticed, and he has received numerous 
awards throughout the years. Some of these include the Governor's 
Excellence Award for Innovative Economic Development and the Ohio 
County Superintendent's Association's Outstanding Leadership award in 
1992. He was also named Greene County Adult Education Volunteer of the 
Year in 1990 and NAIOP Public Official of the Year for Dayton in 1991. 
Additionally, Phil has received five National Association of Counties, 
NACO, achievement awards for: increasing sales opportunities; 
intergovernmental cooperative efforts; cutback management; 
accessibility for the disabled; and assistance to the homeless.
  Phil and his wife, Teresa, have two children, Erika and Brooke, two 
grandchildren and a third on the way.
  Phil's decades of service have proven him to truly be the epitome of 
selflessness and commitment. He has demonstrated sincere dedication to 
providing prosperity and knowledge to Greene County. It is his 
exemplary efforts that assist the progress of our nation in fairly and 
efficiently protecting our citizens.
  Thus, with great pride, I commend Mr. Phillip C. Houston for his 
commendable service to the community and extend him the best throughout 
his hard-earned retirement.

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