[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23473]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO NEIL A. EMORY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long 
service of Mr. Neil A. Emory to Harnett County, North Carolina. On 
October 31, 2008, he will retire as County Manager, capping a public 
service career that spans three decades. Mr. Emory began his tenure as 
one of the longest serving County Managers in Harnett County history 15 
years ago and has been serving the citizens of North Carolina for 
nearly 28 years.
  Mr. Emory is a native son of Weaverville, North Carolina. He attended 
Appalachian State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts 
degree in Local Government Administration and went on to earn his 
Master of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in 
Public Administration.
  Neil Emory's innovative leadership and unique vision have benefited 
Harnett County in innumerable ways. Mr. Emory oversaw a period of 
tremendous growth in Harnett County resulting from the expansion of 
nearby Fort Bragg, leading up to and continuing through the Defense 
Base Closure and Realignment Commission process. His greatest 
accomplishments have been the many improvements to county 
infrastructure; the construction of a new county courthouse; the 
construction of new schools and the restructuring of the community 
college system; the expansion of emergency services; and an extensive 
update to the county mapping system. He accomplished all of this by 
working across party lines and through sound long-range planning. I 
remember working together in the aftermath of Hurricane Fran to address 
the needs of Harnett County's ailing communities.
  Neil has worn many different hats during his career, but perhaps his 
most important jobs are being a husband to his wife, Elizabeth, and 
father to his daughter, Hannah, and his son, Taylor. Ever active in his 
community, Mr. Emory has served as the PTO president of the Harnett 
County School Board and is involved in numerous associations for county 
managers and public administrators. He was recently named a Paul Harris 
Fellow as a lifetime Rotarian and has also received the International 
County Manager's Association Award for 25 years of service to local 
governments. Mr. Emory has also found time to enjoy American's favorite 
pastime, serving as assistant coach of the Dunn All-Stars for the past 
12 years.
  Madam Speaker, Neil Emory exemplifies dedication, leadership and 
commitment. As a former county commissioner, I am proud to honor the 
career of Neil A. Emory today. I ask all of my colleagues to join my 
wife, Faye, and me in celebrating his 28 years of service to Harnett 
County and to the State of North Carolina.

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