[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1374-E1375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONSOLER-IN-CHIEF: MAYOR MERLE AARON

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Mayor Merle Aaron has faithfully 
served the folks of Humble since his election to Humble City Council in 
2005 and his election to Mayor in 2015. My friend, Merle, is a well-
respected businessman, devoted family man, and a passionate advocate 
for the citizens of Humble, Texas. His patriotic spirit, love for God, 
and love of the community make him a natural promoter of the Humble 
area.
  Merle was the middle child in a family of five boys and four girls 
that grew up in Edinburg, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. He was 
the first in his family to graduate from Edinburg High School. He was 
working in construction when he met the love of his life and best 
friend, Linda. They moved their family up to Humble from the Lower 
Valley in the early 1960s, back when the Bush Intercontinental Airport 
was nothing but trees. Merle supervised the crew that poured the 
runways at

[[Page E1375]]

Bush between concourses A and B for the opening of what was then the 
Houston International Airport in 1969. Merle poured concrete all over 
Houston, including the original Interstate 10. He came across a job 
with the Marriott Corporation, where he really got to focus on his 
construction and maintenance certifications. He took computer classes 
at Lone Star College--Kingwood, eventually earning the top HVAC 
license. When Marriott wanted to promote Merle and send him to 
Cincinnati, his family had already considered Humble home. He then 
quickly put that mechanical education to use and decided to start his 
own company. In 1978, family-owned and operated Aaron Mechanical 
opened.
  Aaron Mechanical had water bill and permitting issues with the City 
of Humble. Rather than battling with the city, Merle ran for Humble 
City Council to help come up with solutions. In 2005, he turned over 
Aaron Mechanical to the experienced hands of his son. This gave him the 
opportunity to run for Humble City Council and eventually, mayor for 
the City of Humble. As mayor, Merle has placed a significant importance 
in infrastructure. He focused efforts into public safety by improving 
roads and drainage.
  Merle has many times been described as ``having a servant's heart'', 
and that held true during the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. He 
worked tirelessly trying to fulfill the needs of the people of Humble, 
opening up the Humble Civic Center as a shelter, talking with people 
who lost everything, hugging and crying with them. Merle worked 
aggressively to have contractors ready as quickly as possible to begin 
the debris removal process.
  The Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce has been selecting a Citizen of 
the Year since 1969, recognizing those who show selfless public service 
and sacrifice. It was no question that Merle most deserved to win the 
Haden E. McKay, MD Citizen of the Year for 2017. But if you ask him, he 
would tell you, ``All the first responders and volunteers who went into 
the flooded areas of Humble to help people affected by Hurricane 
Harvey. These are our citizens of the year.''
  The City of Humble is important to the Aaron Family. Merle and Linda 
have three children, eight grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren, 
who all have or are currently going through Humble ISD schools. For 55 
years, their place of worship has been First Baptist Church of Humble. 
The Aaron family has deep roots in Humble, Texas. Always giving back to 
the place they call home.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________