[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 202 (Friday, December 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF DANNY HOWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 21, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my dear friend, Danny Howard, upon his retirement after dedicating 24 
years of public service as Mayor of Harlan, a historic coal mining town 
in Kentucky's Appalachian region.
   Learning from his father, who served as a long-time magistrate and 
Sheriff for Harlan County, Danny wanted to serve the beloved small coal 
town where he was born and raised. Despite his father's warning that 
the ``spot doesn't pay,'' my friend moved forward with his courage of 
conviction to help the people of Harlan and was elected in 1993.
   It was not the first time Danny Howard chose Harlan. An alumnus of 
Harlan High School, he graduated in 1973 from Mercer University College 
of Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. At a time when many young people were 
moving away from small towns in the Appalachian coal fields, he and his 
wife, Debby Webb Howard, returned to Harlan to start their family. They 
raised two children, Seth Howard and Whitney Howard Mendiondo in the 
shadow of the mountains. Since then, the Howards have never had an 
empty nest, with Earl Raglin and Jordan Foster joining their family in 
1995 and 2006, and generously opening their home to three other 
children over the years.
   Danny not only served people from his post at City Hall, but also as 
a practicing pharmacist. He is known for his personable style, often 
walking around the counter to give customers an entertaining dose of 
local tales and jokes that demonstrate his love for his small hometown. 
His genuine interest in others always shines through, winning people 
from all walks of life.
   As Mayor of Harlan, Danny has always faced a challenging economy 
with a small municipal budget strapped by a shrinking tax revenue and a 
deteriorating infrastructure. However, he has worked diligently for 
economic development projects, infrastructure improvements, flood 
control, environmental cleanups and much more. In fact, we became close 
friends through our work together for the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE 
program, removing illegal dumps from our hillsides, cleaning up litter 
along our roadways, and expanding access to clean water and sanitary 
sewer across the county. He has also been a trusted partner for first 
responders and Operation UNITE, supporting narcotics investigations, 
treatment and education efforts across the city to combat the drug 
epidemic.
   Additionally, Danny effectively boosted tourism and community 
development efforts, through the establishment of the Harlan Tourism 
Commission and construction of The Harlan Center in the heart of the 
city. Today, the tourism industry has an annual economic impact of 
approximately $18 million.
  Danny's expertise in both city management and pharmaceuticals have 
been highly coveted by numerous boards and commissions, including the 
Housing and Urban Development Board on which he served many years. He 
worked tirelessly, advocating for projects that would provide housing 
for those most in need.
   Without question, Danny Howard's loyal leadership will have a long-
lasting impact in the City of Harlan and throughout the county. I wish 
Danny, his wife, Debby, and their family many blessings, joy and peace 
in the years ahead.

                          ____________________