[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO HARRY BERRY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, after 20 years of service as Hardin 
County judge-executive, my good friend Harry Berry is retiring. Over 
the past two decades, he has built a Kentucky-wide reputation for 
steadfast leadership and selfless service. Today, I ask my Senate 
colleagues to join me in thanking Judge Berry for his work and wishing 
him well in his retirement.
  Harry took a circuitous route to public service in Hardin County. A 
Missouri native, he spent much of his early career in the Washington, 
DC, area, working with the CIA, Army, and other defense agencies to 
coordinate engineering projects around the world. When Harry decided to 
retire from that role, he and his wife Jill chose Hardin County as 
their new home; the county was close to Jill's parents in Hopkins 
County and offered robust services to the former military personnel who 
settled in the area after service at Fort Knox.
  Harry is a self-described introvert who prefers to approach the world 
with the quiet, analytical approach he developed as a military engineer 
rather than the bombast common in politics. Still, he has a keen eye 
for organization and development, honed through 20 years in the Army 
and, upon moving to Hardin County, spotted several local issues he 
thought he could try his hand at improving. His first run for public 
office was unsuccessful, but after living in Hardin County for only a 
few years, he won the county judge-executive race in 2002. He was the 
first Republican to ever occupy the office.
  Twenty years later, Harry says his retail politicking has improved. 
But his real accomplishments in office have been largely behind the 
scenes: sound financial management, improved hiring and public 
services, upgraded government facilities, and extensive economic 
development spurred by his steady, capable leadership. Under Harry's 
purview, Hardin County has grown at a quick clip, leveraging its close 
connections to the Fort Knox military installation to foster new 
business and growth.
  Beyond his public service, Harry has grown roots in Hardin County 
that will continue to deepen in his retirement. He has leaned into his 
community's extensive slate of organizations dedicated to caring for 
veterans, including the Disabled Veterans Association, the VFW, and the 
Military Officers Association. He promotes philanthropy and 
volunteerism through the Lions, Masons, and Shriners. As Harry takes a 
step back from elected office, I am sure these organizations will 
welcome his interest and energy.
  Few leaders can move to a new community and, within only a few years, 
win an election to be that community's chief elected official. Fewer 
still can do so without any experience in public office. But Harry did 
so seamlessly and, 20 years later, has become an indispensable part of 
Hardin County government. I know I speak for many Kentuckians when I 
say I am sorry to see him leave this role but thankful for the two 
decades of service he dedicated to our Commonwealth. On behalf of my 
Senate colleagues, I congratulate Judge Harry Berry on his well-earned 
retirement.

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