[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING GARY NEAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 19, 2019

  Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend, 
Gary Neal, for his many years of hard work and dedicated service to the 
Port of Morrow, Morrow County, and Eastern Oregon. Gary has served as 
Port Manager for nearly 30 years, and I would like to pay tribute to 
his leadership in the region.
  After five years as the Manager at the Port of Clarkston, Gary was 
hired in 1989 to manage the Port of Morrow. Since that time, and thanks 
to Gary's leadership, the Port has grown to be the second largest Port 
in the state of Oregon.
  The Port now houses facilities for everything from value-added 
agriculture processing to high tech data centers. It serves the area as 
an economic powerhouse. In 2017 alone, the Port generated $2.7 billion 
of economic output and created nearly 8,500 jobs either directly or 
indirectly. From 2008 to 2013, the second worst economic downturn this 
country has experienced, the Port grew by 88 percent. All of this was 
driven by Gary's visionary leadership of the Port.
  Despite the multitude of successes, Gary is humble about these 
achievements. While all the above mentioned statements are fact, Gary 
often refuses credit, and instead points to his commissioners and the 
community when explaining the success of the Port.
  This focus on community is also evident in the Port's countless 
efforts to support community development projects. Whether it is parks, 
schools, or athletic facilities, the Port never hesitates to contribute 
to the growth of the community.
  In addition to his commitment to the Port, Gary has served the 
community in many other ways. He currently serves on the board for The 
Bank of Eastern Oregon; Pacific Northwest Waterways Association; is 
past president of the Oregon Public Ports Association; served on the 
Infrastructure Finance Authority Board for the State of Oregon for 
eight years, and is an active committee member with several other 
groups.
  This breadth of experience and involvement has made Gary a great 
asset to me on a variety of issues affecting the Port and the 
surrounding area. On everything from issues with the Navy's Boardman 
Bombing Range and the Army's Umatilla Chemical Depot, to river 
transportation and renewable energy, I've leaned upon Gary's experience 
and ideas as we navigated toward solutions.
  As Gary begins his well-earned retirement, I know he is looking 
forward to spending time with his family. Gary and his wife Kathy have 
been married for 45 years and have two children. Their daughter 
Rochelle is married and works for Nike. Their son Ryan is taking over 
as the Manager of the Port of Morrow. The apple didn't fall far from 
the tree.
  Congratulations to my good friend Gary Neal on a much respected and 
successful career. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him well 
as he pursues his next adventure.

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