[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     IN TRIBUTE TO J. THOMAS RITTER

                                 ______


                         HON. RICHARD H. LEHMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 1994

  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise before my colleagues today to pay 
tribute to J. Thomas Ritter who has retired after 5 years as 
superintendent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and a 
distinguished career in the premier areas of the National Park Service.
  Tom's retirement caps a career that spans 35 years of dedicated 
service with the National Park Service. Mesa Verde National Park marked 
the beginning of Tom's park service career. Following that was other 
seasonal experiences in San Juan National Forest, Glacier National 
Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Saguaro National Monument.
  His first permanent position was at Lake Mead National Recreation 
Area, followed by tours at Timpanagos Cave National Monument, Mount 
McKinley National Park, Anchorage General Office, Glacier Bay National 
Monument, Voyageurs National Park, the Washington office and finally, 
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
  I'm proud when Tom says that the greatest time of his career has been 
working at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, two jewels in the 
National Park system that are located in my backyard in my 
congressional district.
  It's to Tom's credit and a tribute to his work that in 1992 he was 
named Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resources Stewardship for 
the western region of the Park Service.
  And Tom was also the recipient of the Glenn O. Hendrix Award for 
quality in planning and construction while at Sequoia and Kings Canyon. 
Tom was deeply involved in an era of change at Sequoia and Kings 
Canyon. The move from Giant Forest to Wuksachi Village, the renovation 
of the Generals Highway, the wastewater problems and potential closure 
of Giant Forest are examples of significant issues that he has dealt 
with exceptionally well.
  In addition to dealing with change and inspiring a team approach to 
management in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Tom served on numerous 
servicewide and regional task forces during his 5-year tenure there. 
His contributions to the western region natural resources management 
and science task force were also valuable.
  I want to thank Tom for his stewardship of our Nation's resources and 
for all his achievements on behalf of park visitors from around the 
world. He has truly made a difference. For that he will be missed.

                          ____________________