[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E852-E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MAYOR MATTHEW MARCHANT'S SERVICE TO THE CITY OF CARROLLTON, 
                                 TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2017

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my son, Matthew 
H. Marchant, for his public service as Mayor of the City of Carrollton, 
Texas.
  Matthew finishes his six outstanding years in office as mayor of 
Carrollton later this evening, but that will not end his passionate 
commitment to serving his fellow citizens. Local leaders play a 
tremendous role in improving the quality of life on a daily basis for 
their residents and visitors--Matthew's constant stewardship on behalf 
of those who live and work in Carrollton is to be wholeheartedly 
congratulated. His leadership and service have touched many, and many 
more will be able to enjoy the benefits for years to come.
  Matthew was first elected mayor of Carrollton in 2011 and was re-
elected in 2014. Prior to his election as mayor, Matthew served as 
councilmember for nine years from 2002 to 2011. In conjunction with 
Matthew's role as councilmember and mayor, he served in other 
leadership positions including Chairman of the Redevelopment 
Subcommittee, member of the Transit Oriented Development Subcommittee, 
member of the Carrollton Festival at the Switchyard Subcommittee, 
member of the Audit and Finance Committee, and member of the Judicial 
Committee. In addition, Matthew has served as Carrollton's voting 
member on the Regional Transportation Council.
  Starting in 2011, Matthew led Carrollton through an economic 
development campaign to invest in the city's future. He championed an 
innovative project to revitalize Downtown Carrollton with new 
restaurants, retail, and greenspaces, while capturing the historic feel 
of Carrollton's past. In 2015, the City of Carrollton was awarded the 
``Best Public Improvement Project'' by the Texas Downtown Association 
for its work in the downtown square. In 2010, striving to introduce new 
patrons to the Carrollton Square, Matthew worked with local and 
national musicians to host the Festival at the Switchyard concert 
series. Last year, more than 30,000 people were on hand to discover the 
unique stores, eclectic restaurants, and music all in the heart of 
Downtown Carrollton.
  During Matthew's tenure as mayor, he has worked diligently with the 
Carrollton Police and Fire Departments to equip them with the tools 
needed to serve and protect the city's citizens. As a result, 
Carrollton now has one the lowest crime rates in its recent history. 
Matthew collaborated with neighboring cities to secure funding for the 
North Texas Emergency Communications Center which was launched in 2016 
as a regional emergency dispatch command. Additionally, Matthew oversaw 
the construction of the new Carrollton Police Department Headquarters 
and Fire Station #8 which have helped lower the response time for 
medical emergencies by 12 percent across the city.
  As Matthew leaves office, the property tax base of Carrollton is 
approximately $13.3 billion, an impressive increase of 49 percent since 
his first election as mayor. In addition, Matthew has met his 
commitment to lowering the property tax rate for homeowners. During his 
15 years serving in Carrollton city government, the population of the 
city expanded from around 115,000 to nearly 135,000, making it one of 
the top 25 most populous cities in Texas. Additionally, many small and 
large corporations such as AmeriSource Bergen, Interceramic, CyrusOne, 
and others have also joined Carrollton's growing and diverse economic 
landscape.

[[Page E853]]

  In 1998, Matthew earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern 
Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Matthew continued his studies 
at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas where he 
received his law degree in 2000. Outside of his duties as a public 
servant, Matthew works as legal counsel at Holly Frontier Corporation. 
He has been a lifetime resident of the Carrollton-area where he lives 
with his wife, Lindsay, and two children, Kendall and Hayden.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing my 
son, Matthew Marchant, for his service to the people of Carrollton.

                          ____________________