[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MR. JEFF HASTE UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE 
                 DAUPHIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2021

  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend, congratulate, and 
profusely thank Mr. Jeff Haste, upon the occasion of his retirement as 
Chairman of the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners.
  Few public servants have been as effective and innovative as Jeff 
Haste. When he became the Chairman in 2003, he took bold steps to cut 
costs and put county government on a path to fiscal responsibility, and 
held the line on taxes for an unprecedented ten straight years.
  A conservative and pragmatic leader, Jeff consistently sought ways to 
support private sector growth. He established the first-of-its-kind 
infrastructure and land bank, to fund critical local projects, fight 
blight, and stimulate economic growth. He also saved the Harrisburg 
Sports and Outdoor Show--a major economic and tourism driver for the 
region--by securing a new producer and making the show the most 
successful to date.
  As a testament to his leadership and initiative as county 
commissioner, Jeff was named the Harrisburg Regional Chamber (CCAP)'s 
Government Leader of the Year in 2006 and 2011. He also was awarded the 
CCAP 2016 Outstanding Commissioner of the Year, the National 
Association of Counties 2014 Achievement Award in the category of 
community/economic development, the Pennsylvania Economic Development 
Association President's Award for the Dauphin County Infrastructure 
Bank, and the Harrisburg Riverboat Society 2013 Award for Distinguished 
Community Service, among myriad other accolades, commendations, and 
recognitions.
  An avid outdoorsman and open space advocate, Jeff helped Dauphin 
County preserve almost 15,000 acres of farmland since 1992, under a 
program that began when he was chief clerk.
  He also served as CCAP's 2014 president, representing all 67 counties 
in Pennsylvania, before becoming Chairman of the Board in 2015. He was 
Chairman of the Susquehanna Township Recreation Board in 2001, and 
served on the Township's zoning hearing board. In 2012, he was 
appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing, and 
Conservation.
  Jeff, also active in the Boy Scouts, coaches youth soccer and 
baseball, and is involved with many other community and professional 
organizations. After graduating in 1977 from Lewistown Area High 
School, he attended Shippensburg University, and graduated in 1981 with 
a Bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice and Law Enforcement, 
while serving as class president all four years, and earning Dean's 
List honors. Jeff is a devoted husband to his wife, Maria, father of 
four, and grandfather of three.
  Once again, on behalf of the Citizens of the 10th Congressional 
District, I'm honored to congratulate and sincerely thank Commissioner 
Jeff Haste for his tireless, dedicated, and selfless service to the 
County of Dauphin, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United 
States of America, and I wish him Godspeed on his future.

                          ____________________