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“RECOGNIZING MR. PHILLIP C. HOUSTON IN HONOR OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE GREENE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E819 on May 5, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING MR. PHILLIP C. HOUSTON IN HONOR OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE
GREENE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT
______
HON. STEVE AUSTRIA
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Mr. AUSTRIA. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's seventh congressional district, I am honored to recognize Mr. Phillip C. Houston for his 32 years of dedicated service to Greene County and congratulate him on his recent retirement.
Phil Houston grew up in the Akron area. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Olivet Nazarene College and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
Throughout his 23 years as Director of the Department of Development for the Greene County Board of Commissioners, Phil has seen the department form into a full-service economic development organization that provides services in: small business loan assistance, structured retention and expansion, tourism, and housing down-payment assistance and education.
Originally, Greene County hired Phil to direct its annual $3 million comprehensive Employment and Training Act Program, funds that were in jeopardy of being revoked by the U.S. Department of Labor. Within two years, Phil had remedied all the problems and his department was acknowledged for having taken appropriate steps to course-correct.
Thanks to Phil's stewardship, the county generated a fundamental Economic Development Plan, and worked with the four cities, six villages and 12 townships throughout Greene County to consolidate their efforts to improve the county. In just the past few years, more than 40 projects ranging from infrastructure improvements to community building renovations and code enforcement have been accomplished through Greene County's Community Development Block Grant Program with Phil's oversight and direction.
Though he has made a career for himself in public service, Phil still managed to give back to his community as a volunteer. He has been involved with the American Economic Development Council, the Small Business. Administration, and the Dayton Area Technology Network. He has served as a member of the County Budget Review Committee, County Adult Day Care Board, County Jail Advisory Committee, Greene County Board of Education Business Advisory Committee, and the Adult Education Committee for Greene County's Career Center.
Phil's efforts have not gone unnoticed, and he has received numerous awards throughout the years. Some of these include the Governor's Excellence Award for Innovative Economic Development and the Ohio County Superintendent's Association's Outstanding Leadership award in 1992. He was also named Greene County Adult Education Volunteer of the Year in 1990 and NAIOP Public Official of the Year for Dayton in 1991. Additionally, Phil has received five National Association of Counties, NACO, achievement awards for: increasing sales opportunities; intergovernmental cooperative efforts; cutback management; accessibility for the disabled; and assistance to the homeless.
Phil and his wife, Teresa, have two children, Erika and Brooke, two grandchildren and a third on the way.
Phil's decades of service have proven him to truly be the epitome of selflessness and commitment. He has demonstrated sincere dedication to providing prosperity and knowledge to Greene County. It is his exemplary efforts that assist the progress of our nation in fairly and efficiently protecting our citizens.
Thus, with great pride, I commend Mr. Phillip C. Houston for his commendable service to the community and extend him the best throughout his hard-earned retirement.
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