[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DON S. HAVENS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2019

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don 
S. Havens on his retirement from the office of Mayor of Tipton, 
Indiana. A well-respected public official for many decades, Don's 
career has been defined by his faithful service to his fellow citizens. 
Don's record of electoral victories is a testament to his ability to 
connect with constituents and to deliver results. Throughout his 12 
years on the Tipton City Council and 8 years as Mayor, Don has led the 
City of Tipton into the new millennium, helping to bring new ideas to 
fruition by directing projects aimed at building a better community for 
all of Tipton's citizens.
  Growing up in Tipton, Don graduated from Tipton High School in 1963, 
and furthered his education at Indiana University in Bloomington, 
Indiana. In 1965, Don became a reporter and editor for the Kokomo 
Morning Times, a position he would hold until 1967. It was in 1967 that 
Don was called into service for the United States Army and deployed to 
Vietnam, where he served until 1968. His military service overseas as a 
Private First Class garnered Don the Vietnam Service Medal. His 
training and experiences in the military also helped prepare Don for 
the next four decades of leadership roles he held in both the public 
and private sectors.
  After his time in the United States Army, Don reentered the workforce 
as a Manager with Anixter Brothers, a wire manufacturing company in 
Tipton. In 1975, Don started Havens Realty, where he has been at the 
helm for over 45 years, continuing to grow the business and further 
strengthen the local economy. Don became a founding member of the 
Tipton Economic Development Corporation, a group created to help 
strengthen and develop the Tipton County business community.
  Ever the man on a mission, Don continued to be heavily involved in 
the public sphere of the Tipton community. Spending 12 years on the 
Tipton Utility Service Board, Don helped to lead this municipally-owned 
group in its effort to deliver affordable electric power, water and 
wastewater collection and treatment to the citizens of Tipton. 
Throughout his career in public office Don has been an innovative force 
helping to move Tipton forward, opening new economic opportunities to 
the citizens of the community. He spent a total of 20 years in elected 
office, never losing an election, including the post-Watergate election 
during which Don was the only Republican to win his local race. His 
service record over his 12 years as a member of the Tipton City Council 
solidified his sterling reputation as an outstanding civic leader.
  Later in his career Don was elected to two consecutive 4-year terms 
as Mayor of Tipton, first in 2011 and then again in 2015. Taking office 
at a time of economic tumult for cities throughout the country, Don's 
experience and leadership were integral to the continued success of the 
local Tipton economy. While many municipalities were struggling to 
attract new business and limiting civic programs, the city of Tipton 
was able to grow the local economy and embark on bold public 
initiatives as a result of the tireless work of Mayor Havens. Working 
together with fellow city and state leaders, Mayor Havens was able to 
attract Chrysler FCA to move operations and massive investment to 
Tipton.
  When Tipton was impacted by extreme flooding in April 2013, Mayor 
Havens and fellow city leaders worked closely with the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency to acquire grants that allowed for homes to 
be rebuilt and renovated for multiple Tipton residents. Furthering his 
pride in the city, Don was integral in the creation of the Tipton Main 
Street Association, a volunteer organization with a mission of helping 
to build a better Tipton. Recent projects have focused on the 
beautification of the downtown area, with landscaping and flower 
planting transforming downtown Tipton into a vibrant and exciting 
center for public gatherings. The Alley project revamped an empty 
downtown alley into an engaging gathering place for the residents and 
visitors to come and enjoy the heart of the city.
  Mayor Havens has also overseen efforts to undertake demolition 
projects of dilapidated properties throughout the city, as well as a $3 
million investment in parks and recreations infrastructure. Over his 
last 8 years in office, Mayor Havens and fellow Tipton municipal 
officials have led a city initiative to invest $2.5 million into 
construction projects aimed at fixing and replacing the city's streets, 
sidewalks, and drainage infrastructure, furthering the efforts to 
improve the city of Tipton and better serve citizens.
  For over four decades, Mayor Don Havens has consistently served the 
best interests of the City of Tipton, as a member of the Utility 
Service Board, the City Council and as Mayor. His career record in 
government has shown Don to be an honest, ethical, and transformative 
public servant who has had an immensely positive impact on the citizens 
of Tipton. On behalf of all Hoosiers I thank my friend, Mayor Don 
Havens for his decades of exemplary service to the citizens of Tipton 
and wish him, his wife and fellow leader in the Tipton community Tami, 
and his family all the best in a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________