[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19871]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING DEBRA HOOD OF HALEYVILLE, AL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                  in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 2017

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the talents, 
achievements and dedication of Mrs. Debra Hood on the occasion of her 
retirement as City Clerk of Haleyville, Alabama.
  Debra Hood began her career with Haleyville 30 years ago and worked 
alongside numerous mayors and members of the city council. She has also 
worked with numerous municipal judges and attorneys in the municipal 
court system. As municipal judge for the city of Haleyville, I had the 
privilege to work alongside Debra back in the mid-1990s. Debra's goal 
was always to advance the city of Haleyville and make it a better place 
to live, work and raise a family.
  During her three decades as clerk, Debra Hood has taken a particular 
interest in community and economic development. Her work has directly 
helped the city of Haleyville to continue to be one of the most 
prosperous communities in Winston County.
  Debra, along with other local leaders, played a valuable role in 
keeping hundreds of jobs in Haleyville through Exxel Outdoors. Exxel 
provides 100 jobs for area citizens and is one of the major 
manufacturers of sleeping bag in the nation.
  I would be remiss if I did not point out the most important job Debra 
has had as city clerk: the chief election official of the city. She has 
overseen numerous municipal elections in the past 30 years, ensuring 
that the people of Haleyville had their voices heard at the ballot box.
  Debra's family is also immeasurably important to her. She and her 
husband Gary have two children, daughter Dana Saylor and son Bruce 
Hood. Debra and Gary have six grandchildren: Sydney, Bryant, Titus, 
Elijah, Abigail and Lydia.
  Representing the city of Haleyville, my hometown, and the Fourth 
Congressional District, I appreciate the hard work and the dedication 
that Debra has given the city over the past three decades.
  Debra will be missed by those she has served for so many years, but I 
know she will continue to be active in her community. She has earned 
this retirement with her years of dedication. I wish her all the best 
in her retirement.

                          ____________________