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[Page S216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO AL HODGE
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam President, today I am honored to recognize
in the Record Albert M. Hodge, Jr., of Rome, GA.
Al Hodge is an economic development leader whom I have known for more
than three decades, dating back to his work as chief executive officer
of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina in the
1980s. We have worked together in business, when I was in the State
legislature and chairman of the State board of education, and still
today in our current roles.
Al is a fellow University of Georgia bulldog, who led the Charleston
chamber for 8 years, the Augusta chamber in Georgia for 8 years, and
now the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce in northwest Georgia for what
will be 21 years when he retires from the chamber business this April.
Al is not one to take credit, but his professional accomplishments
tell a lot of his story not only in these communities, but also across
multiple States and even internationally.
Al is the current vice chair of the Japan America Society of Georgia
and, along with me, a member of the Society of International Business
Fellows. He graduated from Leadership Georgia a few years after me, and
he has always remained active with the organization. Al also served as
a member and as vice chair of the Georgia Board of Education and
multiple other education-focused boards. He is a past chairman and a
current board member of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Al
has also served as chair of Georgia's economic development professional
association, the State's chamber of commerce professional association,
and he has taught economic development at the U.S. Army War College,
internationally with our alma mater, and other organizations.
Al is an expert in his field. He understands the countless factors
that play into successful economic development, he builds coalitions to
mount successful campaigns, and his work has paid off time and again.
Rome is a great community, with many leaders and good friends of
mine, but in large part thanks to Al's personal investment of time and
energy into his role, the community has gained more than $1.2 billion
in direct investments by primary employers and the creation and
retention of over 7,000 new primary jobs, not counting commercial,
service, and other jobs, during his time there.
Al was an instrumental member of the coalition that built State
Mutual Stadium and brought the Braves organization's Class-A ball club
to the community in 2003, the Rome Braves. Thanks to his leadership,
the community passed not only the Special Purpose Local Option Sales
Tax--SPLOST--but also more of these initiatives over the years to
benefit the community's schools, roads, airport and countless other
services. Most recently, he guided development of the Rome Tennis
Center at Berry College, the Nation's largest single-surface facility,
with 60 courts across 30 acres.
While Al has led the chamber, the community has seen the location of
major headquarters and manufacturing investments, including Pirelli
Tire North America, Suzuki Manufacturing of America, Neaton Auto
Products Manufacturing, and a major Lowe's distribution center.
In addition to my visits to Rome and seeing him in the State, I have
spent time with Al and the Rome chamber at least once a year in
Washington, and I have spent the last 15 years working with his
daughter as a member of my staff. Of all his professional
accomplishments, it is Al's family, friends, and colleagues whom he
truly cherishes and champions.
Al is a great guy, and I want to wish Al and his talented wife Cheryl
Riner Hodge--who has been a true partner to Al, in addition to her own
career as an artist--the very best as he retires from the chamber. I
also look forward to the Hodges' continued success in economic
development as they go on to launch the next phase of their lives and
careers. Many more will benefit from their continued efforts in this
field.
____________________
