[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E46-E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LYNNETTE R. BUFFINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2024

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lynnette R. 
Buffington for her years of public service to our community. As the CEO 
of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. Ms. Buffington has demonstrated 
unparalleled leadership and advocacy for the Grays Harbor community.
  Ms, Buffington started at Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., the regional 
economic development council and chamber of commerce, at a tumultuous 
time: the summer of 2020. Even amidst the challenges posed by the 
COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Buffington rose to the occasion and led Grays 
Harbor County to greater economic prosperity.
  Since taking the helm, Ms. Buffington and Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. 
have secured millions in grants and investments into rural communities 
and projects across Grays Harbor,

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with nearly $800,000 of that being directly allocated to support small 
businesses and business development programming.
  Ms. Buffington has been a staunch advocate for public funding of 
major infrastructure projects, increased access to childcare 
facilities, and overall economic growth in a county that desperately 
needs it. And this advocacy has led to record levels of public 
investment, including over $100 million in federal support for the 
Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project.
  The impact of Ms. Buffington's work has been profound and will have 
lasting impacts. In fact, work is underway for Greater Grays Harbor, 
Inc. to join a larger, regional EDA-recognized Economic Development 
District, and her legislative organizing at both the state and federal 
level has better positioned Grays Harbor County communities to address 
their needs.
  Ms. Buffington was also critical in securing $500,000 in strategy 
development grant funds as part of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot 
Program. These funds are designed to better position both Grays Harbor 
and Pacific counties to create and connect people to good jobs and 
renew economic opportunity in rural communities that have too long been 
forgotten. These funds will significantly increase local coordination 
and planning activities and serve as an investment in readiness and 
local capacity-building.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been encouraged by Ms. Buffington's community 
leadership and I applaud her for her successes in our district. Ms. 
Buffington's leadership and passion for revitalizing rural Grays Harbor 
County has forever impacted the future of the communities she served. 
Her advocacy and energy will be sorely missed.
  For these reasons, I am pleased to recognize Ms. Lynnette R. 
Buffington in the United States Congress.

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