[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF GAIL WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of Eastern Kentucky's greatest champions for economic development 
and infrastructure enhancement, my friend Gail Wright, who is retiring 
after nearly 30 years of dedication as Executive Director of the 
Gateway Area Development District.
   Gail was raised on a farm in rural Menifee County, Kentucky, where 
she learned the value of basic infrastructure, a frugal family life and 
hard work. She developed a deep passion for helping others while on the 
farm, which inspired her love for community development.
   Gail has been an overcomer from day one, including being first in 
her family to graduate from college and serving as one of the first 
female Executive Directors for an Area Development District in 
Kentucky. Most recently, about ten years ago, she was diagnosed with a 
brain tumor and a genetic defect in her heart that would ultimately 
test her strength and tenacity. Once again, she never slowed down, 
overcoming two major health issues back-to-back.
   She has utilized that same determination and courage of conviction 
to fuel her leadership for the Gateway Area, covering Bath, Menifee, 
Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan Counties. She has been an incredible 
force in the field of community and economic development; she knows the 
often-complex inner workings of grant funding and administration; she 
knows how to bring strategic partners together at the federal, state 
and local levels; and ultimately, she has a genuine love and 
understanding for the people, the culture, the talent and the heritage 
of Eastern Kentucky.
   As you look around the communities in the Gateway Area, her 
fingerprints are visible on countless projects from water and 
wastewater expansion, industrial parks, transportation enhancements, 
tourism growth, educational access and other revitalization activities. 
She has served as Chair of the Kentucky Area Development District's 
Executive Directors and has dedicated her time and resources to 
multiple boards in the region, across Kentucky and nationally. Most 
importantly, she has simultaneously devoted her life to her husband, 
Dean, with whom she has raised two wonderful sons, Abraham and Jordan.
   Gail has been a true jewel for Eastern Kentucky and we will do our 
best to continue the work she envisioned for the region we all love. As 
she enters retirement, my wife, Cynthia, and I wish Gail and her family 
immense joy and blessings in the years to come.

                          ____________________