[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MARK FELTON

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I wish to recognize one of West 
Virginia's prized public servants, Mark Felton, on the occasion of his 
retirement. Through his various roles in the Region III Planning and 
Development Council, Mark has been an indispensable resource to the 
four counties he has served for over 30 years.
  After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in geography from 
Marshall University, Mark began his career in the transportation 
department of the regional planning council in 1983. Mark authored and 
supervised innumerable transportation-related studies that benefited 
residents of the region through improved roads, bridges, travel times, 
and safety.
  The regional councils serve as integral partners in the planning and 
execution of infrastructure improvements, including water and sewer 
projects. During my time representing the 2nd Congressional District 
and continuing through to my time in the Senate, my staff and I worked 
with Mark and the council to complete numerous infrastructure projects; 
as a result, we provided potable water to thousands of West Virginians. 
I have always appreciated the technical assistance and knowledge that 
Mark and his staff bring to any undertaking. These projects are not 
always the most glamorous, but they are necessary for the health of the 
people we serve.
  In 2006, Mark was promoted to executive director of the regional 
planning council. In this role, Mark successfully worked alongside 
local, county, and State leaders to achieve many goals throughout the 
region. Mark was consistent in his determination to utilize region 
III's resources in the most efficient manner possible.
  One highlight of Mark's career includes working with the West 
Virginia Division of Highways and the U.S. Department of Transportation 
to build the Saint Albans--Nitro Bridge. This was a major achievement 
that required patience and diligent planning to complete. Through a 
clever design variation, millions of taxpayer dollars were saved, and 
the project was completed ahead of schedule. I commend Mark and his 
team for working skillfully with Federal and State partners to 
accomplish this huge undertaking under budget and on time. Time and 
again, Mark exhibited great leadership and wisdom in his roles with the 
regional planning council and has made a lasting difference in the 
health and safety of residents of Kanawha, Clay, Boone, and Putnam 
Counties.
  In his spare time, Mark actively participates in local theater 
activities in the Kanawha Valley, acting in roles for the Charleston 
Light Opera Guild and Kanawha Players. In addition, he previously 
served as president of the Children's Theater of Charleston. Hopefully 
he will continue with his passion, as I have always enjoyed seeing him 
on stage.
  Mark is also a member of Kanawha United Presbyterian Church where he 
actively participates in the church and bell choirs. Additionally, he 
is a property trustee of the church and plans to be more involved in 
both internal operations and outreach ministries after his retirement. 
Mark and his wife, Kerry, a kindergarten teacher for Kanawha County 
Schools, have two children, Erin and Patrick.
  I wish Mark a fond farewell and the best of luck to him and his 
family in the next phase of their lives. Our State owes Mark a debt of 
gratitude for his hard work and dedication to his community. It has 
been a privilege working with him, and I urge my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating Mark on a wonderful career.

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