[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 140 (Monday, September 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13306-S13307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  TRIBUTE TO VALORIE J. WATKINS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SENATOR LARRY 
                                 CRAIG

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding staff member of mine, Valorie J. Watkins who has served 
diligently as my regional director in eastern Idaho over the last 
several years.
  Valorie's tenure as a congressional staff member has been long and 
distinguished. She has worked in the U.S. Congress for close to 25 
years but now moves on to another position as director of alumni 
relations at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.
  I have enjoyed working with Valorie over the years. Her leadership, 
insightful recommendations, and attitude toward serving others have 
been indispensable to my responsibility of effectively serving the 
great people of the State of Idaho.
  Valorie was born in Pocatello, ID. A long time resident of eastern 
Idaho, she 

[[Page S 13307]]
graduated from Pocatello High School and received her degree from Idaho 
State University in 1966.
  In 1966 as a bright-eyed and enthusiastic graduate of Idaho State 
University, she left Pocatello and boarded a plans for Washington, DC 
and arrived in our Nation's capital without having yet obtained a job. 
She was quickly hired by the Democratic Congressman from Idaho, Compton 
White Jr. After Congressman White's defeat in 1966, she immediately 
came on board Republican Congressman George Hansen's staff. From 1967 
to 1969 Valorie proved to be an outstanding staff member for the 
Congressman and excelled in this capacity. In 1969 she returned with 
her husband Bill to Pocatello and became a teacher in the local school 
system and was involved in local education issues.
  In 1973, her knowledge and work experience helped her to land a 
position as district director with one of the great leaders of Idaho, 
my predecessor, Senator James A. McClure. In this capacity she came to 
be well respected and looked upon for advice by Senator McClure. She 
worked for Senator McClure until his retirement in 1991.
  Valorie Watkins' work for the people of Idaho is earmarked by her 
astute ability to keep in close contact with constituents by being 
involved in her community. She served in many capacities over the years 
in Pocatello; she has done a immense amount of work with the Greater 
Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, serving on over eight committees, 
including serving as a member of the board of directors from 1993 to 
1996. She has been heavily involved in the Soroptimist International of 
Pocatello, from which she received several awards and also served as 
its president from 1993 to 1994.
  In the 16 county region of which she oversaw, Valorie has come to be 
well respected by many leaders on both sides of the political isle. 
Valorie has traveled throughout southeast Idaho to small communities 
like Preston, Montpelier, Soda Springs, and Malad and gained the 
respect of many Idahoans because of her help. Many leaders have sought 
her help and advice, including mayors, city councilman, county 
commissioners, educators and administrators, and Idaho State 
representatives. She is also well respected by many of the Federal 
Government agency heads in the area, and has worked closely with some 
of those individuals to resolve trying cases.
  Whenever southeast Idahoans have sought help from my office with a 
problem with a Federal agency, they most likely have found it with 
Valorie Watkins. In a more memorable and recent incident, Valorie took 
the lead in my office's involvement with Tom Johansen, a Pocatello 
scrap metal dealer who was brought into the national spotlight when he 
unknowingly bought several thousand tons of sensitive nuclear hardware 
and blueprints from the Department of Energy at an auction. Valorie's 
involvement with the case and persistence played a part in forcing the 
DOE to provide an equitable resolution in what might have otherwise 
been a disaster for Mr. Johansen.
  Valorie's service to the people of Idaho I believe can be summed up 
from an editorial written by the editor of the Preston Idaho Citizen, a 
local small town newspaper in eastern Idaho:

       Over the years while Valorie was an aid to Senator Jim 
     McClure and to Senator Larry Craig, she has been a wonderful 
     intermediary for just about anyone who had a challenge that 
     concerned the Federal Government. She is one of the most 
     personable persons that we know and we have been so grateful 
     for her listening ear and her assistance in cases where there 
     has been a need for contact with the Federal Government. 
     Valorie Watkins is most approachable. . . . We see her move 
     as a gain for Idaho State University and a loss for Senator 
     Larry Craig!

  And so, Mr. President, as Valorie brings to a close her long and 
productive career in service to the people of Idaho and this Nation, I 
wish her and her husband Bill nothing but the very best wishes for 
happiness and prosperity.


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