[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 187 (Friday, November 7, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MAYOR GARY FULLER

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 2025

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of Gary Fuller, Mayor of the City of Opelika, Alabama.
  Mayor Fuller has tirelessly served the City of Opelika for over 20 
years. He served on the City Council from 2000 to 2004 and was first 
elected Mayor August 24, 2004.
  As Mayor, he established Opelika as the first gig city in Alabama. He 
helped establish a first-class Pre-K program and helped with plans to 
renovate Opelika High School. He led the charge for a new sports 
complex, library, fire department, police building and municipal court 
facility.
  He was instrumental in the development of the Tiger Town shopping 
district and revitalization of Opelika's downtown. Because of the 
influx of citizens, over 2,500 new single-family homes have been built. 
He created the Commission on Crime & Violence in 2018 to help decrease 
crime.
  A graduate of Southern Union State Community College, Fuller was 
President and CEO of Fuller Broadcasting Company, Inc. from 1985 until 
1998. His six stations (WKKR, WMXA, WZMG, WTLM, WCJM and WPLV) received 
numerous awards for community service and local news coverage. In 1988, 
WZMG and WKKR became the first stations in Alabama to earn the National 
Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award for community service. He was 
also Managing General Partner for Fuller Properties, LTD and former 
host of the Lee County Report.
  He's served as past President of The United Way of Lee County, 
Opelika Rotary Club and The Opelika Chamber of Commerce. He has served 
as past director of Opelika Dixie Youth Baseball, Opelika Main Street, 
Opelika Utilities Board, Opelika Arts Association, Lee County Salvation 
Army, Achievement Center Easter Seals, Chattahoochee Council Boy Scouts 
of America, Chattahoochee Historical Commission and Boys & Girls Clubs 
of Greater Lee County.
  Mayor Fuller has served the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority 
(Chairman), Alabama League of Municipalities (Past President), Alabama 
Monument Protection (Vice Chair), Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, Lee-
Russell Council of Governments, Opelika Planning Commission, Auburn 
University Regional Airport, Master Mason and member of Twin City Lodge 
No. 76, Emeritus Certified Municipal Official by League of 
Municipalities, National League of Cities Christian Public Officials 
Caucus, Julius E. Talton Endowed Program Support Fund and University of 
Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences.
  He received the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, Opelika 
Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, 
``Small Businessperson of the Year'' and Chancellor's Award Outstanding 
Alumni--Southern Union State Community College. He is married to his 
wife, Laura, and has two children. The Fullers are active members of 
First Methodist of Opelika.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing my friend, Mayor Fuller, 
and thanking him for his service to the City of Opelika. 
Congratulations to Mayor Fuller.

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