[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 53 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF MIKE BUCKLES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 2022

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my friend Mike Buckles upon his retirement from the Daniel Boone 
Community Action Agency, where he has served as Executive Director for 
nearly 25 years.
  Mike has dedicated his career to assisting individuals and families 
most-in-need. He turned an agency facing financial hardships into a 
thriving, successful resource to combat poverty. Mike is a visionary 
leader, always working to expand services to help as many people as 
possible in Clay, Jackson and Lee counties. As Executive Director, he 
increased employment from 40 to 135 employees, added two certified 
Kentucky Career Centers and increased the budget to over $16 million.
  He worked diligently to lift the Daniel Boone CAA out of debt and 
increased programs for transportation, weatherization, low-income 
energy assistance, workforce development, child care, housing and 
emergency services.
  As a result of his achievements, Mike was selected to lead Community 
Action Kentucky as President for two terms. In 2015, he was inducted 
into the Transportation Hall of Fame and he received the ``Jesse 
Amburgey Award of Excellence in Community Action'' in 2019. In 2020, he 
was named a ``SOAR Hero'' by the non-profit SOAR organization--Shaping 
Our Appalachian Region. Under his leadership, Daniel Boone CAA has also 
earned many accolades, including the Statewide Transportation Award, 
Eastern Kentucky Section 531 Award, Vehicle Maintenance Award, 
Statewide Transportation Award, and the Weatherization Leadership 
Award, among others.
  Thanks to Mike's lifetime of perseverance and due diligence, 
countless families in our rural region have received assistance when 
they needed it the most--getting a ride to the doctor's office, getting 
the training necessary for a new job, keeping warm in the winter, 
accessing childcare during work hours, and much more. Without a doubt, 
Mike Buckles has made a resounding difference in southeastern Kentucky 
and I appreciate his sincere friendship and partnership over the years. 
I wish Mike a happy and peaceful retirement with his wife Sharon and 
their beautiful family.

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