[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1699-E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO STATE SENATOR HARRY ``HAP'' MYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
a remarkable man, State Senator Harry Edward ``Hap'' Myers, Jr., a 
lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama and friend to many who passed away 
on August 3, 2011, at the age of 72.
  During his lifetime, Hap was known for his unbending belief in others 
and in doing what was right. He was a husband, father, civil engineer, 
community leader and legislator.
  Growing up in Mobile he attended Mary B. Austin Elementary School, 
Barton Academy, and graduated from Murphy High School in 1957. He 
received a B.A. Degree in Business Administration and a B.S. Degree in 
Civil Engineering from Auburn University in 1961.
  Returning to Mobile, he began on a path he would follow for much of 
his professional life, serving and then leading the J.B. Converse

[[Page E1700]]

Company/BCM Engineers where he was president and CEO for two decades. 
Under his leadership, the company grew to become one of America's top 
100 engineering firms.
  Never one to be content with sitting on the sidelines when his 
community needed him, Hap was determined to make a difference, greeting 
new challenges with enthusiasm and his trademark positive attitude. He 
led the local business community as Chairman of the Mobile Chamber of 
Commerce, Chairman of the board at St. Paul's Episcopal School, and 
served on the Board of Regions Bank and the Mobile Area Water and Sewer 
Board, to name but a few of the many organizations where Hap left a 
lasting mark.
  Having succeeded in local business and in giving his time to improve 
his community, Hap took the next step in 1994, entering the political 
arena for the first time. For anyone who knew him, there was never any 
doubt that he would make a fine public servant. Hap went on to be 
elected a Republican in the Democrat-dominated Alabama State Senate for 
three consecutive terms. He retired from politics in 2006. Former 
Governor Bob Riley summed up his political career by noting he ``served 
for all the right reasons, and he did it with great integrity and 
class.''
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Hap Myers never put himself first and never gave 
up believing in and doing what was right. He will be sorely missed but 
leaves behind a legacy of goodness and decency as well as an example 
for one and all of what a true servant leader is.
  I would like to ask the House to join me in extending our deepest 
condolences to his lovely wife, Toni, as well as his wonderful 
children, Hap III, Marty, and Sandy, his grandchildren, his family and 
many friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________