[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 157 (Friday, September 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1227-E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MS. GAYLE BRIDGES HARRIS ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT 
                 FROM 47 YEARS OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2019

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, l rise to recognize a great American 
and public servant, Ms. Gayle Bridges Harris of Durham, North Carolina. 
Lauded as a skilled and resourceful community builder and valued public 
health leader in Durham, NC, Ms. Harris will be retiring after 47 years 
of faithful and dedicated service to the health and well-being of all 
those she served. I am honored to share with my colleagues in the 
United States House of Representatives the accomplishments of this 
remarkable public servant.
  As the 2nd African American student to graduate from Duke University 
School of Nursing, Gayle Harris' extraordinary career began in 1970. At 
22 years of age, she began work at Durham County Health Department as a 
public health nurse. Ms. Harris' most recent role was serving as the 
Public Health Director and the General Manager for Community Well-being 
for Durham County, North Carolina.
  As General Manager for Well-being, Ms. Harris provided strategic 
leadership for Durham County's Department of Public Health, Department 
of Social Services, Cooperative Extension, Veteran Services and Durham 
Public Libraries. She also served as a lead liaison between the County 
and Alliance Behavior Health Care, Durham Parks and Recreation, Duke 
University Health System, Lincoln Community Health Center, Public and 
Private Universities, United Way of the Greater Triangle and other 
entities uniquely positioned to promote Durham's health indicators to 
new levels.
  With nearly 50 years of service in Durham County, Ms. Harris has 
served in several significant leadership roles. As Public Health 
Director since 2009, she contributed to the design of and managed the 
department's move into a new Human Services Building in 2011. At that 
time, she also played a key role in implementing two innovative 
programs: the Durham Diabetes Coalition, a joint venture of Durham 
County Department of Public Health with Duke University Health System 
to address diabetes in the community, and Bull City United, a violence 
interruption/reduction initiative. Ms. Harris was elected to serve as 
the President of the North Carolina Public Health Nurse Administrators 
in 1994 and the President of the North Carolina Public Health 
Association in 2011.
  Gayle Harris is the recipient of numerous awards: Communities Joined 
in Action 2014 Grassroots Leaders Award; Senior Pharm Assist 2014 
Thomas R. Howerton Leadership Award; NC Association of Local Health 
Directors 2013 Ham Stevens Award for Outstanding Contributions to Local 
Public Health; Auxiliary of the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry & 
Pharmacy 2012 Legacy Award; Duke University School of Nursing 2012 
Distinguished Alumna Award; and University of North Carolina School of 
Public Health Alumni Association 1995 Distinguished Alumna Award. She 
was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of 
Nursing in 1990.

[[Page E1228]]

  Ms. Harris has served on numerous boards and committees, including 
Durham County's Strategic Plan Goal Champion (Health and Well-being for 
All); Mayor's Initiative to Reduce Poverty One Neighborhood at a Time; 
Durham Community Health Network; Project Access of Durham County Board 
of Directors (Vice-Chair); Co-Principal Investigator and Steering 
Committee member of the Durham Diabetes Coalition; United Way of the 
Greater Triangle Women's Leadership Council and Health Impact 
Committee; Durham YMCAs; and the Lincoln Community Health Center Board 
of Directors (Secretary).
  In 2012, spearheaded by Ms. Harris's efforts, the Durham County Board 
of Health, supported by the County Commissioners and City officials, 
adopted a rule to regulate smoking in prescribed public areas. In a 
city once dependent on tobacco for its existence, much of its public 
space is now smoke free including parks, bus stops, sidewalks, public 
indoor areas such as restrooms, and public areas of retail 
establishments.
  In 2014, the Durham health community, under Ms. Harris' leadership, 
won the prestigious RWJF Culture of Health award. This award 
``recognizes communities that have come together around a commitment to 
health, opportunity, and equity through collaboration and inclusion; 
especially with historically marginalized populations and those facing 
the greatest barriers to good health.'' Because of Gayle Harris' 
leadership and support, the Durham County Department of Public Health 
has led racial equity work within Durham County Government by hosting 
racial equity training and presentations for thousands of government 
employees, nonprofit agencies, businesses, and community members.
  Gayle Bridges Harris has played a critical role in advancing the 
culture of health in Durham, North Carolina. She is a health leader 
from whom others learn. In her honor, we remember that: ``A community's 
vitality is built upon the health of the residents and the capacity of 
the community to foster and enhance the well-being of every citizen.''
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Ms. Gayle Harris 
on this auspicious occasion.

                          ____________________