[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1772] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOHNNIE AYCOCK ______ HON. SPENCER BACHUS of alabama in the house of representatives Tuesday, September 28, 2010 Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the contributions of Johnnie Aycock, the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, for his dedicated and tireless work to bring greater opportunity to the people of our region and State. Johnnie has announced plans to retire from the Chamber effective March 21, 2011 after 28 years of exemplary service. During Johnnie's tenure, the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce has earned statewide recognition and respect for economic and workforce development, education initiatives and innovation in community development programming. West Alabama has enjoyed significant economic achievements, from the recruitment of large manufacturing plants to the development of many new small businesses. Johnnie's ability to build partnerships among the private sector, educational institutions, and government has been an integral part of this success. Johnnie has stressed the importance of business leaders being active in public affairs and in their communities. He founded Leadership Tuscaloosa, which has trained more than 900 citizens in leadership. He has served on the Alabama Governor's Commission on Existing Industries and as Co-Chair of the Committee on Tax, Incentives & Fiscal Policy and has freely given of his time and talents to numerous civic organizations including the Alabama Jaycees, the Literacy Council of West Alabama, Junior Achievement, and the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa. Johnnie has been recognized for his outstanding work with honors that include the Phi Delta Kappa's Outstanding Citizen For Education in Tuscaloosa County, the Tuscaloosa Advertising Federation's Bronze Oak Wreath Award for Community Service, the Outstanding Commitment to Public Service Award from the University of Alabama, and induction into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame. A skilled communicator, Johnnie is the author of ``Tuscaloosa: The Tradition, The Spirit, The Vision'' and a contributor to the book, ``Tuscaloosa: Centennial Progress, Millennial Hopes.'' He has been a columnist for the Tuscaloosa Business Ink Magazine, Planet Weekly, and Tuscaloosa Christian Family Magazine and for 7 years wrote a weekly column for the Tuscaloosa News. Johnnie Aycock is a graduate of Auburn University and the Institute of Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame. He is also a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North Carolina. Johnnie is a former member of the faculty of the Kettering Foundation's Public Policy Institute and has served as an adjunct professor at Stillman College's Management Institute. The sound economic base and high quality of life that distinguishes West Alabama can be traced in no small part to the energy and enthusiasm of Johnnie Aycock. It is has been my pleasure to work with Johnnie on many economic development, education, and service initiatives during my time in Congress. Though Johnnie is retiring from his leadership position at the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, I have no doubt that he will continue to be a devoted servant to the community that he so dearly loves. ____________________