[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO FRANK TAYLOR

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                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2011

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated, 
compassionate and effective public servant Frank Taylor, who is 
retiring after serving the people of Macomb County, Michigan for 33 
years, the last 10 as Director of the County's Community Services 
Agency. Mr. Taylor is a leader in the field of Community Action 
Agencies and a shining example of everything a public servant should 
aspire to be.
  Mr. Taylor graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of 
Science Degree in Education in 1974. The next year he began teaching 
and coaching at Harper Woods Public Schools and began earning his 
Master of Arts Degree in Education from Oakland University which he 
completed in 1980. In 1979, he began his successful tenure with Macomb 
County, starting at the Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board as 
a Youth Programs Supervisor. He rose through the ranks becoming 
Assistant Director in 1982 and holding that position until 1997 when he 
was promoted to Director. In 2001 he embraced a new challenge, moved 
departments and became Director of the Macomb County Community Services 
Agency.
  Under Mr. Taylor's leadership the Community Services Agency 
established highly effective programs and services that addressed that 
most pertinent needs of county residents. He worked diligently to 
leverage funds from the Recovery Act, administering over 14 million 
dollars for vital programs such as Home Weatherization, Food Assistance 
and Early Head Start. In fact, through creative thinking, he was able 
to leverage funds and make the vital Early Head Start program permanent 
one year after its enactment.
  In addition, the Senior Nutrition program vastly increased the number 
of meals offered to homebound senior citizens and the Food Program 
increased the amount of emergency food distributed. Mr. Taylor 
effectively identified grant opportunities to provide emergency 
services to low income individuals in need.
  In 2010 Mr. Taylor led a statewide initiative to purchase a 
multimillion dollar client database within nine months that 
substantially increased accessibility and efficiency. The initiative 
included a plan to deliver training to staff and is now being used by 
every Community Action Agency in the State.
  I have witnessed first-hand Mr. Taylor's passion and dedication 
through the years. He is an outspoken advocate for low-income home 
energy assistance, as well as the Community Service Block Grant 
program, which is so important to the delivery of vital services to 
those in need. Mr. Taylor has always focused like a laser on ensuring 
that residents of the county receive the highest quality of services in 
an efficient and compassionate manner. It has been a true pleasure for 
my staff and I to work with him, and the citizens of Macomb County are 
grateful for his dedicated service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Frank 
Taylor, who has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of living for 
working class people in Macomb County for 33 years. I am confident he 
will continue to play an important role in the community where he is 
highly thought of, in addition to enjoying a bit of retirement. 
Importantly, he and his wife Rosanne, married 34 years, now get to 
enjoy spending time with their first grandchild, Olivia, just born on 
December 6th.

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