[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 RETIREMENT OF ROBERT J. ``BOB'' TOWLES

  Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding contributions of Mr. Robert J. ``Bob'' Towles, Director of 
the Lower Colorado Region of the Bureau of Reclamation, who retired on 
April 1, 1994, after more than 49 years of Federal service.
  Bob Towles began his career with the Bureau of Reclamation in 1944 as 
a surveyor in California. During the latter part of World War II, he 
served in combat in the European theater during an 18-month tour with 
the U.S. Army.
  In 1953, he graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor 
of science degree in civil engineering. While attending the university, 
he was an engineering aide for the Bureau. He worked on several 
Reclamation water management projects in California until 1972, when he 
was selected as the project construction engineer for the Palmetto Bend 
water supply project in Texas.
  From 1981 to 1983, Bob was the Assistant Regional Director for the 
Southwest region, headquartered in Amarillo, TX. He moved to Denver in 
1983 to become Deputy Assistant Commissioner of engineering and 
research.
  Bob returned to the field in May of 1986, when he was named manager 
for the Bureau's Arizona Projects Office in Phoenix. There he managed 
construction and operation activities for the Central Arizona Project, 
as well as Safety of Dams activities and Reclamation involvement in 
Indian water rights settlement.
  Bob Towles was named Director of the Lower Colorado Region in May of 
1991. The 1400-employee region oversees the last 688 miles of the 
Colorado River and maintains the largest program within the Bureau of 
Reclamation.
  A registered professional engineer in Texas, Bob has received 
numerous awards and honors during his career, including the Department 
of the Interior Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service awards.
  Bob has been a valuable asset to the Bureau of Reclamation and the 
Lower Colorado District. He will be missed tremendously. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in thanking Bob for his outstanding service to the 
Bureau and the country, and in wishing him and his lovely wife Gladys 
the best in his retirement.

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