[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S2747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO NEAL ACKER

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Mr. 
Neal Acker, who at the end of this year will be retiring from a 
distinguished 12-year career as the general counsel of the Alabama 
Housing Finance Authority, AHFA. Neal graduated from the University of 
Alabama School of Law and was formerly associated with the law firm of 
Capell and Howard in Montgomery. Neal and his wife, Beth, have been 
close and valued friends of mine for many years and have been wonderful 
public spirited citizens.
  The Alabama Housing Finance Authority was established by the Alabama 
State Legislature in 1980 to provide financing options for low and 
moderate-income families. In its first year, AHFA issued $150 million 
in low-interest loans, but since then, that number has grown by over $2 
billion. The last 35 years, the organization has expanded from 
providing financing to individual homeowners, to capitalizing 
substantial housing investment projects across the State.
  Neal served AHFA through some of the worst natural disasters in 
Alabama's history. Through his leadership and dedication, the 
organization was able to provide temporary lodging to those affected by 
Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 tornado outbreak. Throughout his service 
to the people of Alabama, Neal also worked closely with the Tuscaloosa 
VA to develop housing options for homeless veterans.
  Neal is a brilliant lawyer with great judgment. These qualities have 
played a key role in the success of the AHFA. AHFA has been governed 
most effectively during its dramatic growth. It is certainly one of the 
finest Housing Finance Authorities in America. Neal has been a right 
hand to this success and helped my office assist the authority in its 
good work. I am honored to have been able to work with Neal and am 
proud to call him my friend.

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