[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOM CARLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the former Mayor of 
Springfield, Missouri, Tom Carlson.
  Tom Carlson was the longest serving mayor in Springfield history, 
holding the position from 1987 to 1993 and then again from 2001 to 
2009. Before that, he served on City Council from 1983 to 1987 and 
again in 1997 to 2001. In 1989, he was named Distinguished Young Lawyer 
by the Missouri Bar and was listed in Who's Who in Practicing 
Attorneys.
  Under Carlson's leadership, the city created a citizen-driven 
visioning process involving 300 citizens which formed a basis for all 
major policy decisions in the community. The city successfully passed 
90 percent of its ballot issues, became involved with an inner-city 
revitalization project known as Jordan Valley Park, creating a $100 
million construction project which resulted in an indoor ice park, a 
new convention center. a new minor league baseball stadium, a 900-space 
parking deck, a $3 million inner-city park and a $25 million dollar 
arena.
  Also under Carlson's leadership, the city formed a public-private 
partnership with the Chamber of Commerce which resulted in over $200 
million investment in an industrial park bringing new manufacturing 
jobs to Springfield. He sponsored a program that resulted in putting 
CDBG funds into a revolving loan program so that an annual $1 million 
allocation grew to over $40 million in revolving loan programs for low 
and moderate income individuals and inner-city revitalization. Once of 
his proudest accomplishments was the creation of The Mayor's Commission 
for Children.
  Locally, he served on the Board of Governors for Missouri State 
University, the Springfield Branson Airport Board, the Community 
Foundation of the Ozarks. On a state and national level, he served on 
the boards of The Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority, 
the Missouri Municipal League and the National League of Cities.
  In 2014, Carlson received the Springfieldian of the Year Award from 
the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, presented to ``a citizen who has 
exemplified outstanding community service, excellence in his or her 
chosen profession and dedication to improving the quality of life for 
Springfield and its citizens,'' according to the Chamber's website.
  Most recently, concerned with the dearth of any consistent in-depth 
public affairs reporting in Springfield. Carlson launched the 
Springfield Daily Citizen, a not-for-profit online newspaper dedicated 
to strong local journalism to improve civic engagement, to encourage 
more efficient government, and bring more accountability among local 
leaders. The new outlet whose mission is to be a ``Catalyst for Good'' 
has partnered with Missouri State University and MSU President Clif 
Smart noted that, ``by partnering with them, we're investing in a 
community organization, ensuring progress and standing strong in the 
principles of our public affairs mission.''
  The vision of the Springfield Daily Citizen is to reinvent local news 
in Metro Springfield by telling the stories of our community, bringing 
issues to light. encouraging discourse and inspiring citizens to take 
action. Over 8,500 citizens are receiving its daily newsletter and The 
Daily Citizen has, in less than a year, gained over 1,500 subscribers.
  Madam Speaker, Tom Carlson has served his community for decades. Even 
years after leaving the Mayor's Office, he continues to stay active in 
local politics, with a strong devotion to the Springfield community and 
surrounding area.

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