[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10662]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TOM HOWARD

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute today to a man 
who has provided immeasurable leadership and dedication to the lives of 
young people and families around the State of Vermont, Tom Howard of 
East Montpelier. After 31 years as executive director, Tom will be 
retiring this month from the Washington County Youth Service Bureau/
Boys & Girls Club.
  Tom is a native Vermonter who, while growing up, lived in the 
Philippines, Panama, Germany, and throughout the United States. He 
served in the U.S. Army in Korea between 1963 and 1966, and earned a 
B.A. from Johnson State College in history and international relations 
in 1970. Tom went on to earn a master's degree in executive development 
in public service at Ball State University in 1974, and wrote his 
master's thesis on youthful offenders.
  Appointed as executive director of the bureau in 1979, Tom has built 
the agency into a diverse organization with statewide impact. Under his 
leadership, the organization developed cutting-edge programs, like the 
Return House in Barre, VT--a program operated by the Washington County 
Youth Service Bureau for 18- to 22-year-old young men who are returning 
to the community after being incarcerated. In addition to his 
commitment to working with young people and youthful offenders, Tom has 
secured millions of dollars in Federal, State, and foundation grants to 
bring sustainable services and opportunities to youth.
  We are fortunate in Vermont. I am always impressed by the high level 
of collaboration on behalf of Vermont's communities to solve its 
problems. Over the years, I have brought the Senate Judiciary Committee 
to Vermont several times for field hearings to explore community 
efforts to counter drug-related crime in rural America. On each 
occasion, I have looked to Tom for testimony about the work he and his 
organization have done with youthful offenders. Tom not only offers his 
knowledge of work going on around the State, but provides the expertise 
of his organization, and personal stories about the lives of the young 
people he works with.
  As a fellow photographer, I would be remiss if I failed to note that 
Tom's office documents a life full of adventure. His walls depict the 
bureau's accomplishments--such as when he was invited to represent 
Vermont's 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs at a White 
House Ceremony hosted by President Bill Clinton. They also capture the 
faces of those who inspire him, like the pupils for whom he served as a 
teacher and counselor at the Wittlich Prison in West Germany.
  I believe Tom embodies the core principles of what it takes to serve 
Vermont's youth, from his skill as an administrator, to his 
contribution as a caring person. I thank Tom for all that he does, and 
I commend his work to the Senate as an example to others. We are 
grateful for his service to Vermont's young people and families for the 
past 31 years. Marcelle and I wish Tom and his family all the best.

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