[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
           WILLIAM D. WALKER RETIRES FROM THE FOREST SERVICE

  Mr. BUMPERS. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to Bill 
Walker, an outstanding public servant from my State, who will soon 
retire from Government service after a distinguished 36-year career 
with the U.S. Forest Service in the Ouachita National Forest.
  While in college, Bill began his career with the Forest Service as a 
forestry aide in the now-defunct Leaf River Ranger District in 
Hattiesburg, MS. After graduating from the school of forestry at 
Mississippi State University, Bill served as a forester in the Mena 
Ranger District in Arkansas, the Homochitto Ranger District in 
Mississippi, and TMA in the Neches Ranger District in Texas. In 1964, 
he was promoted to his first job as a ranger in the Oakmulgee Ranger 
District in Centerville, AL. He went on to serve as ranger on Boston 
Mountain in Ozark, AR, before landing in Hot Springs in 1974. One of 
his many accomplishments in the Ouachita National Forest was getting 
the timber program back on track after some difficult times in the late 
1980's and early 1990's.
  In addition to his commitment to public service, Bill is active in 
many civic organizations including the National Cubic Foot Committee, 
the Ozark Task Force Interdisciplinary Planning Team, the Lion's Club, 
the Society of American Foresters, the Arkansas Forestry Association, 
the Mississippi State University Alumni Association, the American 
Forestry Association, and the Elks Club. He also served as a member of 
the Arkansas Board of Registration for Foresters.
  Because of his exemplary service, Bill received many honors and 
awards during his tenure with the agency. In 1992, he received both the 
Outstanding Forester of the Year for the Arkansas Division of the 
Society of American Foresters and the National Forest Products Timber 
Sale Award.
  Madam President, it is truly a pleasure to recognize and honor the 
accomplishments of such a devoted public servant. Those of us who have 
worked with Bill over the years know he is the consummate professional. 
His hard work and dedication are legendary and has helped make the 
Ouachita one of the finest national forests in the system. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in extending our thanks and appreciation to 
Bill Walker.

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