[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING BRIAN MURRAY FOR HIS DEDICATION TO SERVING OUR RURAL 
                              COMMUNITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2025

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brian Murray for his 
dedication and commitment to serving our rural communities.
  Mr. Murray's dedication to serving our communities has been 
incredible through his work to help develop Upstate New York and the 
North Country. A lifelong New Yorker, Mr. Murray is from Peterboro, New 
York and currently resides in Lisbon, New York. He earned a Bachelor of 
Arts in financial economics from the State University of New York at 
Potsdam and went on to work as a commercial lending officer for a local 
banking institution for over 15 years. From 2002 to 2007, Murray worked 
as a USDA Rural Development loan specialist in the Canton Field Office 
before being named New York State Director for USDA Rural Development. 
During his time as State Director, Murray spent a year on the USDA RD 
Community Economic Development team in Washington, D.C. and has served 
as the Associate Enterprise Director.
  Mr. Murray's impact on our communities has been profound and has 
helped thousands achieve homeownership and brought in billions of 
dollars in investments towards rural interests. He's brought in this 
incredible investment through working with local leaders, state 
representatives, and federal agencies to achieve common goals of 
improving the quality of life for members of rural communities in New 
York. His contributions include supporting rural clinics and medical 
facilities across the state, providing first responders with essential 
equipment, vehicles, and facilities in an effort to keep communities 
safe, and supporting thousands of entrepreneurs in starting and 
expanding businesses. Murray has worked tirelessly and advanced 
education in rural areas to create opportunities for tens of thousands 
of students through access to higher-quality curriculum and coursework. 
Mr. Murray has also collaborated with the Native American community, 
most notably with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, to address their 
healthcare, housing, and infrastructure needs. In all of his time 
serving New York's communities, Mr. Murray has been responsible for 
over $2 billion in investments towards rural development.
  Mr. Murray has optimistically taken on incredibly challenging issues 
ranging from fostering opportunities for young talent to promoting 
infrastructure, internet access, healthcare, and housing developments. 
Outside his work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural 
Development, Murray has served on the St. Lawrence County Planning 
Board for over 12 years, recently as the chairman, and is active in his 
local fire department, serving as an interior firefighter and as a 
member of the rescue squad. His commitment to serving his community 
outside of his professional life demonstrates his remarkable and 
genuine dedication to improving New York's rural communities.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank and 
honor Brian Murray for his efforts to enhance the quality of life for 
members of New York's rural communities. His dedication to public 
service is truly admirable and has made a lasting impact that will 
continue to benefit New Yorkers for years to come.

                          ____________________