[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21638-21639]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING GARY BRACKETT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and 
congratulate Gary Brackett, longtime Business and Political Manager for 
the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, on his retirement after 
nearly four decades of service to the Tacoma-Pierce County community.
  The Puget Sound region is home to a large number of military 
personnel, retirees, and their families. Over the course of Gary's 36 
years at the Chamber, his top priority has been to advocate for this 
community in Pierce County and beyond. When Joint Base Lewis-McChord 
(JBLM)--and other military installations--faced drastic cuts to its 
workforce in recent years due to federal budget cuts in defense 
spending, Gary led local efforts to retain as many troops as possible 
by providing the U.S. Army with a quantitative analysis of JBLM's vital 
role to the region and to U.S. national security. His diligence and 
successful coalition-building helped to minimize the negative impacts 
that a reduction in military personnel would have entailed, including a 
projected $1 billion loss in economic activity in the region that could 
have resulted.
  Throughout his career at the Chamber, Gary made it a priority to not 
only interact with local

[[Page 21639]]

and state leaders, but to have a presence in Washington, D.C. as well. 
He was instrumental in helping to secure federal funding for the 
construction of much-needed elementary schools at JBLM, local water and 
sewage projects, and other transportation infrastructure improvements 
on base. In recognition of his leadership, Gary was asked by Governor 
Inslee to serve on the Washington Military Alliance (WMA) where he 
worked to ensure the continued liveliness of Washington's military and 
defense sector community.
  Gary's success at building coalitions includes his significant role 
in the development of an ongoing positive relationship between JBLM and 
its surrounding communities. Through his work to create the Chamber's 
Military Affairs Forum, base commanders and personnel have the 
opportunity to interact with local business and political leaders on a 
monthly basis. The Forum has served as an open platform to discuss 
controversial issues including joint land use and clear zone funding. 
Due to its success over the years, the Military Affairs Forum has 
served as a model for similar military communities across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Gary 
Brackett on his retirement and accomplishments. His leadership has been 
critical to fostering a thriving economy and maintaining the quality of 
life of Pierce County businesses and military personnel and their 
families in Washington State.

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