 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 15 * August 9, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story In Memoriam Haron Battle
In his 14 years at NACo, Battle worked with county officials, Congress and the Administration on community and economic development issues. A funeral was held Aug. 6 in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. Survivors included his mother, Ruth, and a brother, Ernest. A memorial service in Washington is also planned. Before his diagnosis, Battle was gearing up to assist NACo’s new president, C. Vernon Gray, with economic development issues, emphasizing under-served areas. "He was excited that I was going to focus on economic development," said Gray, Howard County, Md. Council member. "I worked with Haron for the past 15 years and he was one of the most delightful people I’ve worked with. I just feel devastated." Battle worked closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on a number of community-building issues. "Haron will be missed by those whose lives he touched — at HUD, at NACo, at his church, indeed by every community he reached," said HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo. "Haron had a commitment to helping all people: the county officials or the less fortunate," Cuomo noted. "He was a man whose constant and infectious energy filled a room. It was an honor to work with him and learn from him." "All of us at HUD are saddened by this devastating loss but grateful for the seeds he has planted for generations," he said. Battle also met often with officials at the State Department’s Intergovernmental Affairs office, on economic relations. "We are truly saddened to hear of Haron’s death," said Susan Hovey, program officer at the office. Battle initiated relations with the State Department’s Intergovernmental Affairs office in the early 1990s, to work together to promote economic relations globally. "He was very knowledgeable and concerned about international issues and the global market," Hovey said. Battle, the IGA staff and the State Department’s Business Affairs office worked together in the interest of educating NACo members on such issues as GATT and NAFTA . "Haron was a true professional and a key figure in the Department’s relationship with NACo," Hovey said. Over the years, the IGA office’s relationship expanded to involvement with NACo’s trade missions as well. "We will miss him," she said. At the Annual Conference last month, members of the National Association of County Community and Economic Development unanimously agreed to award Battle with their highest honor, the Roy D. Hoover Memorial Award. The award, an engraved sterling silver bowl, was presented to Battle before he died. It is named for the group’s first president, who served from 1978–79 and was director of Urban Affairs for Los Angeles County. Also at the Annual Conference, NACo’s Community and Economic Development Steering Committee passed a resolution in Battle’s honor, for both his professional accomplishments and volunteer work with community organizations, including the Thurgood Marshall Center, of which he was a founding member. For the Love of Children, where he had served as chairman of the board. In a recent County News profile, Battle said he was most proud of "seeing young people I mentor and tutor develop their skills and abilities." In May, Battle also received a Community Development Achievement Award from NACo, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Community Development Association. After the award ceremony in San Francisco, which Battle could not attend, Cuomo called him at home to offer congratulations. Battle earned the award for his longstanding contributions promoting the Community Development Block Grant program and its goals of increasing affordable housing, providing neighborhood and human services needs, stimulating job creation and retention and promoting physical redevelopment. Before coming to work at NACo, Battle practiced law in the District of Columbia, served as an attorney in the Department of Commerce, and as staff assistant with the House Subcommittee on Census and Population on Capitol Hill. He was a graduate of Oberlin College, Northwestern University Law School and Yale University Divinity School.
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