[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 196 (Tuesday, November 9, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MAYOR NICK PROCTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 2021

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of a 
local leader and dedicated public servant who I am proud to call a 
friend--the outgoing Mayor of Howell, Nick Proctor.
  Mayor Proctor's ties to Howell stretch back to his ancestors when 
they first set down roots in the mid-19th century. First elected to the 
city council in 2013, he's served as the city's mayor for the last 
seven. With an agenda focused on economic vibrancy, he's been a key 
partner of the Howell Downtown Development Authority and the Howell 
Area Chamber of Commerce in the effort to revitalize Michigan Avenue. 
Thanks to his vision of a combination of economic development and 
historic preservation, Howell was honored in 2018 with the Great 
American Main Street Award--a national recognition for achievements in 
transforming the downtown district into a cultural destination.
  In this era of great challenges and uncertainty, it's been a comfort 
to know that Howell has had a calm, level-headed mayor with firsthand 
experience in crisis management. He's been a champion for every 
resident of Howell--presiding over a city council that unanimously 
approved the first anti-discrimination ordinance aimed at protecting 
LGBT and other individuals in Livingston County.
  Last year, when he opted not to seek another term, he reached out via 
email to all of the candidates--both before and after the primary--
making himself available to discuss issues confronting the city. And 
while some may see his comity as a bygone relic, Mayor Proctor would 
tell you that collegiality is integral to who he is. He's a public 
servant first, committed to the mission at hand.
  He learned this as a former official with the Department of State's 
Bureau of Diplomatic Security. In his role as a security attache, he 
traveled the world, including stops in Germany, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and 
Japan. Later on, he served as Head of Global Security for British 
American Tobacco, based out of London. Needless to say, Mayor Proctor 
has seen the world and brought back a unique perspective to the good 
folks of Howell.
  His ability to see things from different points of view is one of his 
greatest skills, and I appreciate his words as Congress has worked to 
pass an infrastructure bill. Last month, he was quoted as saying: 
``Infrastructure has no political affiliation. We need to come together 
to serve the people.''
  It's a message that folks in Washington would do well to heed--we 
were sent here to put our constituents first, just like Mayor Proctor 
has for the better part of a decade. I'll miss working with him--
particularly given our backgrounds in national security--but I know 
he's earned a relaxing retirement filled with occasional travel, a good 
book, and watching the latest ice hockey or college football game.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful community, it's my privilege 
to honor Mayor Nick Proctor so that my colleagues in the People's House 
may know that Mayor Nick Proctor made a difference.

                          ____________________