Recognizing the Retirement of Mayor Gary Fuller

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Gary Fuller, Mayor of the City of Opelika, Alabama.

Mayor Fuller has tirelessly served the City of Opelika for over 20 years. He served on the City Council from 2000 to 2004 and was first elected Mayor August 24, 2004.

As Mayor, he established Opelika as the first gig city in Alabama. He helped establish a first-class Pre-K program and helped with plans to renovate Opelika High School. He led the charge for a new sports complex, library, fire department, police building and municipal court facility.

He was instrumental in the development of the Tiger Town shopping district and revitalization of Opelika's downtown. Because of the influx of citizens, over 2,500 new single-family homes have been built. He created the Commission on Crime & Violence in 2018 to help decrease crime.

A graduate of Southern Union State Community College, Fuller was President and CEO of Fuller Broadcasting Company, Inc. from 1985 until 1998. His six stations (WKKR, WMXA, WZMG, WTLM, WCJM and WPLV) received numerous awards for community service and local news coverage. In 1988, WZMG and WKKR became the first stations in Alabama to earn the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award for community service. He was also Managing General Partner for Fuller Properties, LTD and former host of the Lee County Report.

He's served as past President of The United Way of Lee County, Opelika Rotary Club and The Opelika Chamber of Commerce. He has served as past director of Opelika Dixie Youth Baseball, Opelika Main Street, Opelika Utilities Board, Opelika Arts Association, Lee County Salvation Army, Achievement Center Easter Seals, Chattahoochee Council Boy Scouts of America, Chattahoochee Historical Commission and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County.

Mayor Fuller has served the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (Chairman), Alabama League of Municipalities (Past President), Alabama Monument Protection (Vice Chair), Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, Lee- Russell Council of Governments, Opelika Planning Commission, Auburn University Regional Airport, Master Mason and member of Twin City Lodge No. 76, Emeritus Certified Municipal Official by League of Municipalities, National League of Cities Christian Public Officials Caucus, Julius E. Talton Endowed Program Support Fund and University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences.

He received the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, Opelika Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, ``Small Businessperson of the Year'' and Chancellor's Award Outstanding Alumni--Southern Union State Community College. He is married to his wife, Laura, and has two children. The Fullers are active members of First Methodist of Opelika.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing my friend, Mayor Fuller, and thanking him for his service to the City of Opelika. Congratulations to Mayor Fuller.

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