Tom Harkin: “today I want to recognize an exceptional local leader in Iowa who has used her experience and expertise to help…”

“today I want to recognize an exceptional local leader in Iowa who has used her experience and expertise to help communities across America to become more resilient. Back home, we know Linda Langston as an effective and tireless county supervisor in Linn County. Over the past year, however, I have enjoyed partnering with Supervisor Langston in her role as president of the National Association of Counties. In this capacity, Supervisor Langston served as the principal spokesperson for our Nation's 3,069 counties and their nearly 40,000 elected officials. This is an important and demanding leadership post. Think about it: County governments employ almost 3.3 million people and invest nearly $500 billion each year in our local communities, especially in the areas of transportation and infrastructure, justice and public safety, and health and human services. As national president, Supervisor Langston has focused a tremendous amount of energy and attention this year on community, economic, and social resiliency, with a special focus on natural disaster preparedness and recovery. In addition, she has provided a local, midwestern perspective on national advisory committees with the National Academy of Sciences and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She has also convened numerous national and regional forums with public, private, and nonprofit leaders to address the urgent issue of natural disaster preparedness and recovery.…”