[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 137 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOE HERRING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joe Herring 
for 31 years of distinguished economic development service to the 
citizens of South-Central Idaho and on the occasion of his retirement 
from his current position as President of Region IV Development 
Association, Inc.
  In 1980, Mr. Herring came to Idaho to pursue a graduate degree in 
geography and land use planning after completing his undergraduate 
studies at New Mexico State University. Like other transplants to 
Idaho, Mr. Herring was drawn to the state's wild places and exceptional 
natural beauty.
  Mr. Herring's career in economic development began in 1980 as a land 
use planner in Moscow, Idaho--taking a part-time job that soon turned 
into a passion for assisting Idaho's rural communities. In 1986, he 
joined Region IV Development Association, Inc. as its Executive 
Director and set in motion a decades' long career working to improve 
the lives and livelihoods of Idaho residents. Under his leadership, the 
small regional planning organization grew from offering only work force 
training into supporting a wide variety of programs to promote job 
creation, economic development, community development, downtown 
revitalization, business financing, and many others.
  During Mr. Herring's tenure, Region IV Development has been able to 
facilitate more than $1.2 billion in public and private sector 
investment in the eight counties of South-Central Idaho. These public 
improvement and business projects have supported the creation of more 
than 5,000 new employment opportunities for Idahoans. From the 
development of new drinking water systems to the construction of small 
rural clinics, from industrial park development to building new 
technical education facilities, Mr. Herring's impact on communities 
throughout rural Idaho has been significant.
  With a focus on expanding community and economic development in 
South-Central Idaho, Mr. Herring has founded, incorporated, and led a 
number of organizations that have contributed to the growth and 
sustainability of rural communities throughout Idaho. Looking to bring 
state, federal and private sector resources to bear on local issues, 
Mr. Herring has served Idahoans in many capacities including as 
chairman of the Idaho Public Transportation Advisory Council, the Idaho 
Rural Partnership, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Idaho-Nevada 
Community Development Financial Institution, and the South-Central 
Community Action Partnership. Mr. Herring has shown exceptional 
commitment to strengthening support networks available to foster small 
businesses and to help rural communities attract economic investments. 
To that end, Mr. Herring was responsible for bringing the Small 
Business Development Center to the region. He was also instrumental to 
the incorporation of the Southern Idaho Tourism and the Southern Idaho 
Economic Development Organization. Mr. Herring has led an amazing 
career dedicated to serving the people of Idaho.
  Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank Mr. Herring for his service and 
commitment to economic development in Idaho. On behalf of a grateful 
state, I wish him well in the next chapter of his life.

                          ____________________