[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1538-E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MAYOR EUGENE PARKISON FOR HIS 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE 
                          LEXINGTON COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY BALDERSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 4, 2019

  Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Eugene 
Parkison, for the forty years he has dedicated to Lexington, Ohio and 
the surrounding area.
  Mayor Parkison's career, now spanning more than four decades, 
exemplifies a selfless commitment to public service. After being 
appointed to a Lexington City Council seat in 1978, Gene was sworn in 
as Mayor in 1983. Today, with more than 35 years in this role, he is 
now the longest-tenured mayor in Richland County history.
  As a holder of public office, Mayor Parkison has continually gone 
above and beyond his call of duty. His dedication has manifested

[[Page E1539]]

itself in countless ways over the years, including in his recent effort 
to collect and donate several boxes of clothing, shoes, and blankets to 
victims of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. For his remarkable service, Gene 
has been honored with several awards, including the proclamation of 
Eugene R. Parkison Day--which has been celebrated in Lexington on July 
1st of every year since 2013.
  Admired and respected by all, many current and former Lexington City 
councilman have cited Gene as an important mentor in their lives--both 
professionally and personally. However, beyond his work in local 
government, Gene has served the Lexington community in a number of 
other capacities as well, including as a member of the Catholic 
Charities Board.
  As family, friends, and Lexington gather to recognize Gene's 
outstanding career, I salute him for his ongoing commitment to service 
above self. Mayor Parkison can take great pride in all he has 
accomplished and in the positive impact that his work has--and will 
continue to--have.
  I thank Gene for his devotion to bettering Lexington, Ohio and in 
turn, I honor him for his incredible record of achievement.

                          ____________________