October 21, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 166 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1320-E1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MONTGOMERY MAYOR TODD STRANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2019

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor 
Todd Strange, the 56th mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, on his decade of 
service to his city, his state and to the people of Alabama. Mayor 
Strange's outstanding career has been characterized by his commitment 
to restoring and ensuring Montgomery's economic vitality, his unique 
sense of humor and, most importantly, his deep and

[[Page E1321]]

unwavering love for his city. Since taking office on March 23, 2009, 
Mayor Strange has been a strong and able leader, who has consistently 
put people over politics, and has remained resistant to the divisions 
commonplace in today's political climate. He leaves the City of 
Montgomery a better place for his excellent leadership.
  Long interested in the complexities and practical applications of 
politics, Mayor Strange graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile, 
Alabama before continuing on to earn his B.A. in Political Science from 
Montevallo University. After graduating, Mayor Strange took the 
opportunity to try his own hand at politics, serving as chairman of the 
Montgomery County Commission and as Director of the Alabama Department 
of Commerce. During this time, Mayor Strange was instrumental in 
coordinating efforts that resulted in substantial job growth and 
economic revitalization throughout the city, including working with 
many partners to bring the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Facility of 
Alabama to Montgomery.
  Over the course of his career, Mayor Strange also worked in the 
private sector, ably taking on leadership roles in the automotive and 
telecommunications fields. Mayor Strange served as President, CEO and 
Co-owner of Blount-Strange Automotive Group, where he oversaw hundreds 
of employees, and held several leadership roles within South Central 
Bell Company (now AT&T). He further served as Senior Vice President of 
Administration of Blount International, Ltd. and President and CEO of 
Blount Development Corporation.
  Mayor Strange first came into office winning a special election after 
his predecessor, Mayor Bobby Bright, was elected to the United States 
House of Representatives. His election came on the heels of the 
economic recession, evident in the city's operating budget. Over the 
following six years, Mayor Strange worked diligently to continue 
revitalization in his city, making use of major sporting events, 
conferences, new jobs and economic development to drive revenue. By 
2015, the City of Montgomery closed out the fiscal year with over 
twenty million in the coffers.
  Further, during his time as mayor, Mayor Strange made use of new 
technologies to cut costs and keep the city safe, implementing a Smart 
City Initiative, which makes use of artificial intelligence to assess 
roads for paving projects. The initiative utilizes cutting edge 
surveillance and sanitation technology in order to streamline 
efficiency; and uses in-house software technology to keep costs in 
check. The project symbolizes Mayor Strange's commitment to finding 
practical, cost-effective solutions that make use of all that modern 
technology has to offer, in order for the city to run as smoothly as 
possible.
  Mayor Strange has served as Chairman of the Montgomery Business 
Committee for the Arts, Chairman of the Capital City Club and Chairman 
of the Board of Trustees of the City of Montevallo. He was formerly the 
Chairman of the University of Montevallo National Alumni Association, 
the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Montgomery Area Chamber 
of Commerce, the President of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and 
Blind Foundation, the Board Chairman of the Montgomery Riverfront 
Development Committee and the Chairman of the Montgomery Riverfront 
Alliance. A testament to his enduring legacy and impact, Mayor Strange 
has been honored with myriad awards and recognition, including: The 
Business and Professional Women Boss of the Year Award, the March of 
Dimes River Region Citizen of the Year Award, the Auburn University at 
Montgomery Outstanding Community Leader Award and Time Magazine's 
Quality Dealer Award for Alabama.
  Throughout his long and impressive career, Mayor Strange has been 
blessed to be supported by his wife Linda, his two daughters, Jennifer 
and Elizabeth and his grandchildren. The strength provided by his 
family has allowed Mayor Strange his remarkable professional successes 
and, certainly, his commitment to honoring family values has carried 
over to his service as mayor.
  On a personal note, I have greatly enjoyed working with Mayor Strange 
on the federal issues that matter most to Montgomery and the River 
Region. I'm especially proud of the work that our community and, 
especially, the work that Mayor Strange and his office have done to 
make the 187th Air National Guard home to the new F-35 Lightening II 
Jets, resulting in the creation of hundreds of jobs and tens of 
millions of dollars in economic investment. As we usher in this new era 
for the City of Montgomery, I know that Mayor Strange's legacy will be 
the foundation upon which others will lead. While he may be retiring 
from his service as Mayor, I know he will still be an active, lifelong 
advocate on behalf of the people of the City of Montgomery and the 
River Region.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Todd 
Strange for his outstanding service as mayor of the City of Montgomery.

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