[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 116 (Thursday, July 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE FOR CONNIE NEAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2015

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
leader in the fight against drug abuse in Kentucky, Ms. Connie Neal, 
upon her upcoming retirement from the Administration Office of the 
Courts, as the Drug Court General Manager for Kentucky.
   Connie Neal received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from 
Morehead State University in 1985 and a Master's Degree from the 
University of Kentucky in 1992. She has more than 22 years of 
experience in the field, ranging from working with court committed 
juvenile offenders, to the dually diagnosed mentally ill, to Child 
Protective Services, to Drug Courts. Since the inception of the 
Kentucky Drug Court Department in 1996, Connie has dedicated her career 
to this life-changing program, working her way up through the ranks and 
taking the helm as General Manager in 2012. Thanks in large part to her 
leadership, more than 7,000 participants have successfully completed 
the program, more than 1,000 babies have been born drug free, $5.3 
million in child support has been collected, and $5.7 million court 
obligations have been paid. Today, Kentucky has more than 54 Adult Drug 
Courts, 5 Veteran Treatment Courts, one Mental Health Court, as well as 
one DUI Court. It is her sheer courage and conviction to provide 
individuals with a second chance in their darkest hour that has driven 
her efforts to expand services in the Commonwealth.
   In addition to her tireless efforts for Kentucky Drug Courts, Connie 
has conducted workshops for the National Association of Drug Court 
Professionals, the Kentucky School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, 
the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Community Corrections 
and countless other partners and stakeholders impacted by the national 
drug abuse epidemic.
   Connie's passion and drive to help addicts achieve long-term 
recovery has been instrumental to the growth and success of Drug Courts 
across the Commonwealth. In fact, she has developed an expertise in 
training judges, teams and staff in nearly every county, helping each 
leader confront the daily challenges of Drug Court with tremendous 
grace.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
incredible impact that Connie Neal has made in the efficiency and 
effectiveness of Drug Courts in Kentucky, evidenced by the thousands of 
individuals who have been reunited with loved ones and are now living 
as productive, drug-free citizens of the Commonwealth. May her years of 
retirement be richly blessed.

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