[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20025]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING HURST MAYOR WILLIAM SOUDER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2004

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. William 
Souder, retiring Mayor of Hurst, Texas, for his outstanding service to 
the local community for the past 32 years.
  Mayor Souder is a lifelong resident of Hurst and a direct-descendant 
of the city's founder, William L. Hurst. Like his relative, Mayor 
Souder has taken a decisive role in shaping the direction of the 
community for well over a quarter century.
  Mr. Souder, a former banker, served as the first Postmaster to the 
city of Hurst. Prior to becoming Mayor he devoted 5 years serving as a 
city councilman. In 1980, Mr. Souder was elected Mayor of Hurst and has 
since served an impressive 12 consecutive terms.
  As Mayor, Mr. William Souder has improved the lives of those living 
and working within the community. Under his leadership, 90 percent of 
the Hurst's facilities have been constructed or remodeled in a manner 
that allowed the city to incur zero debt. He has also played important 
roles in a whole host of progressive projects including the Northeast 
Mall renovation which has secured the city's financial security for 
many years into the future.
  Mayor William Souder's positive impact has extended well beyond the 
immediate Hurst area through his involvement in the National League of 
Cities, Texas Municipal League, and U.S. Conference of Mayors.
  It has been my distinguished honor to work alongside Mayor Souder for 
the improvement and development of Hurst, Texas. His leadership and 
kind heartedness will be missed. Bill, his wife Dodie, and the entire 
Souder family have my best wishes and prayers for the future.

                          ____________________