[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MAYOR TOM HANAFAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Tom Hanafan 
of Council Bluffs, Iowa and to honor his storied career of leadership 
and public service.
   A Council Bluffs native since birth, Tom was born in 1947 and was 
raised on the city's west side. Mr. Hanafan graduated from Thomas 
Jefferson High School in 1965 and received a bachelor's degree in 
history and government from the University of South Dakota at 
Vermillion in 1969. Following graduation, Tom completed an 18-year 
career in sales before successfully running for city council in 1982. 
Six years later in 1988, Tom Hanafan was sworn in as Mayor Hanafan. 
Over the past 25 years, he has been reelected by the good people of 
Council Bluffs a total of six times making him the longest-serving 
mayor of any major city in the state of Iowa.
   Throughout his time in office, Mayor Hanafan ushered in a new era 
for Council Bluffs and has transformed the city into the thriving 
community it is today. Mayor Hanafan's tenure will be remembered, in 
part, for its many successes in local economic development. This 
included the construction of the Mid-America Center, investments by 
major companies such as Google and Bass Pro Shops, and the 
establishment of numerous entertainment and shopping venues that have 
invigorated the Council Bluffs economy.
   Mayor Hanafan has also helped lead his city through difficult times. 
During his first year on the job, the tornado of 1988 upended Council 
Bluffs, damaging property and injuring dozens of citizens. Tom worked, 
quite literally, around the clock, forgoing sleep to assist his 
neighbors and the city's recovery. Most recently in 2011, disaster 
struck again when record snow and rainfall caused the historic flooding 
of the Missouri River. During my visit to the area during this 
troubling time, I was able to witness Mayor Hanafan's resilience and 
leadership firsthand as he coordinated with state and federal offices 
to help his city recover.
   Mr. Speaker, Mayor Hanafan's years of honorable service and the 
positive impact he has had on his community simply cannot be overstated 
and provides a great example for local elected officials throughout our 
nation. For the past 25 years, Mayor Hanafan has utilized the renowned 
Iowa work ethic every day to better serve his neighbors and it is a 
great honor to represent him, and all of the citizens of Council 
Bluffs, in the United States Congress. I invite my colleagues in the 
House to join me in thanking Mayor Hanafan, congratulating him on his 
truly stellar career, and wishing both him and his wife, Shirley, the 
best of luck as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

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