January 15, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 9 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SUSAN RITTER FOR 37 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HOME BUILDING 
                                INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2020

  Mr. DesJARLAIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of Mrs. Susan Ritter, who is retiring from her position 
as Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of 
Tennessee (HBAT) after 37 years of service to the home building 
industry.
  Susan has been a tireless advocate for the home building industry--
one of the key primary drivers of the American economy. Home ownership 
has long been one of the linchpins of the American dream, and the home 
building industry in Tennessee has long been in tune with the housing 
needs of local communities. I can personally speak of Susan's 
effectiveness in working on behalf of these goals.
  Susan has served as the executive vice president of the Home Builders 
Association of Tennessee since August 2000, serving as the point person 
for navigating the complex policy and regulatory world that members of 
the industry deal with as part of their day to day operations. It is 
not coincidental that a good number of these business leaders happen to 
be cornerstones of the communities they serve. All of these individuals 
that I have had the privilege of meeting and ask difficult questions 
say the same thing: ``Susan Ritter is the person to who you need to 
talk.''
  There have been many accolades for Susan's service over the years, 
and her service was appropriately honored by the National Association 
of Home Builders when they named her the State Executive Officer of the 
Year. She was also a recipient of HBAT Past Presidents' Special Award 
for her ``dedication and loyalty to the home building industry'' in 
2005. As the chief officer in charge of Tennessee's association, she 
ran the daily operations of an association that includes 2,500 members 
while also monitoring the political and regulatory environments for the 
industry both in Nashville and Washington.
  In addition to being an effective voice for the industry--whether 
through communicating with Members of Congress or state legislators or 
with members of the media, Susan also guided their charitable 
endeavors. She also served as chairman of the Executive Officers 
Council in 2009, co-chair of the NAHB National Membership Committee in 
2000, and was a member of the NAHB Executive Committee in 2000 and in 
2009, also serving as a founding member of the EO 20 Club.
  Susan has been a successful and professional leader for many years, 
and while I know the industry will continue to be successful for many 
years to come, I also know that the home builders of Tennessee will 
miss her guidance. I would ask all of the Members of Congress to join 
me in congratulating Susan Ritter for her excellent work and sending 
best wishes to her and her family in their future endeavors.

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