[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO MAYOR DICK CALLAWAY
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HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO
of west virginia
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 8, 2014
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dick Callaway, Mayor
of the City of St. Albans, who has been honored by his peers at the
West Virginia Municipal League recognizing him as 2014 Mayor of the
Year. He has dutifully served the City of St. Albans as its Mayor for
eight years, elected in 2009 and 2013. I have had the honor to work
with Mayor Callaway on numerous occasions, and have always admired his
professionalism, his vision and his concern for his constituents and
the community.
Mayor Callaway is very involved with other organizations that affect
the quality of life of the City of St. Albans and Kanawha County. He
currently holds seats on the Board of Directors for the Charleston Area
Alliance, Regional Development Authority, and Bridge Valley Community
and Technical College Foundation. In addition, he is the Past President
of the WV Municipal League and is currently Chairman of the Regional
Intergovernmental Council, which provides an array of services that
support economic development, infrastructure, planning and
intergovernmental cooperation.
Before serving the City of St. Albans, Callaway was involved in
broadcasting and education. He is a past president of the WV Associated
Press Broadcasters Association. He is the former owner and operator of
radio stations in both Charleston and Boone County, WV. He has served
as a member of the executive council for AARP West Virginia. While with
AARP, he produced and hosted the AARP West Virginia television
broadcast. Before becoming mayor, Callaway produced and hosted several
television programs in the Charleston viewing area. Callaway is the
current host of ``Community Issues'' for the West Virginia Library
Network. In the field of Education, he served as the President of the
WV Vocational Education Association.
These experiences have proven invaluable in his duties and
performance as Mayor. Under his leadership, the St. Albans Drug
Prevention Task Force was established; St. Alban's Main Street was
opened for economic development; the old Alban Theater was purchased
and transformed into a theatrical production house for theatrical
performances and as a home for the Alban Arts Academy for classes in
the performing and visual arts. He also oversaw the reconstruction of
the Dick Henderson Bridge, an essential span over the Kanawha River
connecting the Cities of St. Albans and Nitro. Callaway also saves the
St. Albans Municipal Utility Commission at least $75,000 annually by
serving as its General Manager.
Callaway, and his wife Libby, celebrated their 51st wedding
anniversary in July of this year. He and Libby have two daughters, six
grandchildren, and are the loving pet parents to Becker the beagle and
Roz the terrier. Even with his hectic schedule, Mayor Callaway takes
his 90+ year-old Mother to the beauty parlor and shopping every
Saturday morning.
His leadership gifts shine not only on the professional front, but
also in his personal life. Callaway is a Deacon and Adult Bible Study
Teacher at First Baptist Church in St. Albans. He is kind hearted, mild
mannered and always ready to help others, which has gained him the
support, love and respect of not only the citizens of St. Albans, but
his employees as well.
Mr. Speaker, the State of West Virginia, City of St. Albans, and
indeed, the United States of America owe Mayor Dick Callaway a debt of
gratitude for his many years of distinguished service. I would like to
close by offering Congratulations to Mayor Callaway on this
prestigious, much deserved honor. I am truly privileged to call him my
friend and fellow West Virginian.
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