Biography
Dale Whitney Strong, born on May 8, 1970, in Monrovia, Alabama, is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Alabama's 5th Congressional District since January 2023. Prior to his congressional tenure, Strong dedicated 26 years to local government, notably serving as the Chairman of the Madison County Commission from 2012 to 2023. His leadership during the 2011 Super Tornado Outbreak was instrumental in coordinating recovery efforts, including the removal of over 500,000 cubic yards of debris and organizing community support initiatives.
Beyond his political career, Strong has been a committed first responder, serving as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for over four decades. His dedication to public safety was recognized in 1989 when he received the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor for his response to a tornado in Huntsville.
Strong is married to Laura Toney, a nurse he met while she worked in the Huntsville Hospital Emergency Room. They have two children, Whitney and Harrison, and are active members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Education
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Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Athens State University
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Emergency Medical Technician License from the University of Alabama in Huntsville
Political Experience
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U.S. Representative for Alabama's 5th Congressional District
- Serves on the House Appropriations Committee, including roles as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, and member of the Subcommittees on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Legislative Branch.
- Chairs the Homeland Security Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee.
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Chairman of the Madison County Commission
- First Republican to hold this position.
- Implemented efficiency measures, reducing the county workforce and enhancing financial management without raising taxes.
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Madison County Commissioner for District 4
- Elected as the youngest Republican official in Alabama at the time.
- Led public safety and infrastructure initiatives, including the installation of tornado sirens and improvement of hazardous intersections.
Notable Achievements
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Legislative Initiatives:
- Introduced H.R. 8140, the SERVICE Act, to establish "Veterans Response Teams" within law enforcement agencies to assist veterans in crisis.
- Authored H.R. 3357, the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act, aiming to prevent adversarial foreign entities from acquiring U.S. agricultural land.
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Advocacy for Veterans:
- Actively worked to address issues within the Department of Veterans Affairs, including advocating for improved healthcare facilities in North Alabama to serve the region's substantial veteran population.
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Economic Development:
- Played a pivotal role in attracting major projects to North Alabama, such as Toyota Mazda, Polaris, Facebook, Blue Origin, and GE Aviation, contributing to the region's economic growth.
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National Security:
- Advocated for the establishment of U.S. Space Command headquarters in Huntsville, emphasizing the strategic advantages of North Alabama for national defense initiatives.
Representative Strong's career reflects a steadfast commitment to public service, community safety, and economic development, underscored by his extensive experience in both local governance and emergency response.
