[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 149 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF JEFFREY MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, August 23, 2021

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
celebrate the life of Jeffrey Mitchell. Elected officials, business 
leaders, community advocates, and New Mexicans from all walks of life 
looked to Jeff's leadership and broad expertise to build a better New 
Mexico.
  Jeff was an economist and the Director of the Bureau of Business & 
Economic Research (BBER) at the University of New Mexico in 
Albuquerque. As head of BBER, Dr. Mitchell oversaw the economic 
forecasting for the entire state. He directed economic analysis and 
projections that assisted private businesses, government agencies, 
nonprofit organizations, and cities, and towns. His regular 
presentations were followed closely by CEOs, political leaders, and 
community advocates. Jeff brought sharp insights, expert research, keen 
wit, and deep compassion to his leadership and policy roles. He 
believed firmly that economic analysis and community development should 
benefit the greater society and foster a broadly shared prosperity.
  Jeff was also a community builder. He actively worked with nonprofits 
to promote renewable energy and sustainable development and was a 
policy advisor to 1000 Friends of New Mexico. He co-founded SHARE New 
Mexico, a comprehensive, web-based resource directory that ensures 
everyone similarly dedicated to improving our communities has the 
information they need. As an economist, he used numbers and math to 
perform his work, but most importantly he relied on his love for our 
beloved communities to guide it.
  Jeff's passion for life and discovery cannot be distinguished from 
his professional accomplishments. As a young adult, Jeff hitchhiked 
across the United States and Central America with a book of philosophy 
in his backpack, curious to learn about these great lands and their 
peoples. He was a humanitarian from an early age, and he started his 
career working on housing and energy projects for low-income 
communities. He was a Fulbright scholar in Venezuela and traveled 
through every corner of New Mexico and the world, working and learning. 
It was that never-ending sense of curiosity that helped make Jeff's 
career--and life--so full.
  Jeff especially loved the arts and cultures of New Mexico and was the 
lead author of a groundbreaking report that found that they contributed 
$5.6 billion to the state's economy and nearly 10 percent of its jobs. 
His work on this issue even helped inform legislation I introduced--the 
Creative Economy Revitalization Act--to create jobs and support our 
creative workers through the pandemic.
  Jeff will be deeply missed by his friends, loved ones, and family. He 
left us too soon, and we will always remember him. Jeff's work, wisdom, 
and curious spirit will echo throughout New Mexico and across our 
country for generations to come. It is my honor to enshrine his 
contributions to our state, culture, and economy in history.

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