[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E401-E402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING CLAY PHILLIPS'S LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2017

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the public service 
of City Manager Clay Phillips of Coppell, Texas. On March 31, 2017, Mr. 
Phillips will retire from public service after serving eight years as 
City Manager of Coppell and over 35 years of service in municipal 
government.
  Clay Phillips began his public service career with the Town of 
Addison in 1981 working as a firefighter and paramedic. He left the 
Town of Addison after obtaining the rank of Deputy Fire Chief to assume 
the position of Fire Chief for the City of Coppell. Since 1991, Clay 
has served as the Fire Chief, Assistant City Manager, and Deputy City 
Manager and in 2008, Clay was promoted to the role of City Manager.
  Clay attended the University of North Texas where he received his 
Bachelor of Science with Honors in Emergency Administration and 
Planning along with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. In 
2011, Clay was named the 2011 MPA Alumnus of the Year. Clay has served 
as president of the North Central Texas City Managers' Association and 
he serves on the Board of Directors of the North Texas Commission.
  During his career as City Manager in Coppell, Clay has promoted 
regionalism amongst area cities and helped bring about a number of 
cooperative efforts, including the North Texas Emergency Communications

[[Page E402]]

Center. Working with city staff, community, and the city council, he 
led many projects over the years that resulted in major improvements to 
the city's parks, facilities, and infrastructure. One of Clay's 
favorite projects was the redevelopment of Old Town Coppell, which has 
blossomed into a unique, mixed-use area, which embraces the city's 
history along with bringing together businesses and residents.
  Clay is a lifetime resident of Coppell. In 1978, he graduated from 
Coppell High School where he received Valedictorian honors. Most 
recently, Clay was recognized as the Class of 2004 Distinguished 
Alumni. Clay has served on numerous professional and philanthropic 
organizations throughout North Texas and Coppell including the first 
Board of Directors of the Coppell ISD Education Foundation and Coppell 
ISD Strategic Planning Initiative. Clay is an active member of his 
church where he serves as elder and in the music ministry. Clay and his 
wife, Terry, are proud parents to two children and one grandson.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in wishing 
Clay Phillips many years of continued success and congratulations as we 
celebrate his service to the City of Coppell.

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