[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 15, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                          TRIBUTE TO AL HODGE

 Mr. ISAKSON. Madam President, today I am honored to recognize 
in the Record Albert M. Hodge, Jr., of Rome, GA.
  Al Hodge is an economic development leader whom I have known for more 
than three decades, dating back to his work as chief executive officer 
of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina in the 
1980s. We have worked together in business, when I was in the State 
legislature and chairman of the State board of education, and still 
today in our current roles.
  Al is a fellow University of Georgia bulldog, who led the Charleston 
chamber for 8 years, the Augusta chamber in Georgia for 8 years, and 
now the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce in northwest Georgia for what 
will be 21 years when he retires from the chamber business this April.
  Al is not one to take credit, but his professional accomplishments 
tell a lot of his story not only in these communities, but also across 
multiple States and even internationally.
  Al is the current vice chair of the Japan America Society of Georgia 
and, along with me, a member of the Society of International Business 
Fellows. He graduated from Leadership Georgia a few years after me, and 
he has always remained active with the organization. Al also served as 
a member and as vice chair of the Georgia Board of Education and 
multiple other education-focused boards. He is a past chairman and a 
current board member of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Al 
has also served as chair of Georgia's economic development professional 
association, the State's chamber of commerce professional association, 
and he has taught economic development at the U.S. Army War College, 
internationally with our alma mater, and other organizations.
  Al is an expert in his field. He understands the countless factors 
that play into successful economic development, he builds coalitions to 
mount successful campaigns, and his work has paid off time and again.
  Rome is a great community, with many leaders and good friends of 
mine, but in large part thanks to Al's personal investment of time and 
energy into his role, the community has gained more than $1.2 billion 
in direct investments by primary employers and the creation and 
retention of over 7,000 new primary jobs, not counting commercial, 
service, and other jobs, during his time there.
  Al was an instrumental member of the coalition that built State 
Mutual Stadium and brought the Braves organization's Class-A ball club 
to the community in 2003, the Rome Braves. Thanks to his leadership, 
the community passed not only the Special Purpose Local Option Sales 
Tax--SPLOST--but also more of these initiatives over the years to 
benefit the community's schools, roads, airport and countless other 
services. Most recently, he guided development of the Rome Tennis 
Center at Berry College, the Nation's largest single-surface facility, 
with 60 courts across 30 acres.
  While Al has led the chamber, the community has seen the location of 
major headquarters and manufacturing investments, including Pirelli 
Tire North America, Suzuki Manufacturing of America, Neaton Auto 
Products Manufacturing, and a major Lowe's distribution center.
  In addition to my visits to Rome and seeing him in the State, I have 
spent time with Al and the Rome chamber at least once a year in 
Washington, and I have spent the last 15 years working with his 
daughter as a member of my staff. Of all his professional 
accomplishments, it is Al's family, friends, and colleagues whom he 
truly cherishes and champions.
  Al is a great guy, and I want to wish Al and his talented wife Cheryl 
Riner Hodge--who has been a true partner to Al, in addition to her own 
career as an artist--the very best as he retires from the chamber. I 
also look forward to the Hodges' continued success in economic 
development as they go on to launch the next phase of their lives and 
careers. Many more will benefit from their continued efforts in this 
field.

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