[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO LANGDON ``DON'' OWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 1996

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special 
tribute to Langdon ``Don'' Owen, who will be honored at a special event 
on July 19, 1996, when an endowed fellowship in water science and 
policy will be established in his name at the University of California, 
Irvine.
  During his 3-plus-year career as one of the premier minds in water 
resources policy in the State of California, Don utilized every 
scientific and policy tool available to sort out the complex and often 
urgent issues in the State's long and troubled water history. 
Environmental impact studies, cost-benefit analyses, long-term 
planning, multiple-discipline approaches, creative problem solving, 
using reclaimed water as barrier to sea water intrusion, building 
consensus through innovative solutions and persuasion--Don had the 
capability and the creativity to use all of these scientific techniques 
and nontraditional methodologies.
  Of his many career highlights, three merit particular attention for 
their foresight and the lessons they offer our great State as we 
continue to grapple with difficult water decisions: Bay Barrier 
Investigation, which led to the rejection of a 1954 proposal to close 
off the San Francisco Bay from the sea; the Water Factory, the landmark 
advanced wastewater treatment facility which provides reclaimed water 
for salt water barrier and ground water basin replenishment; and the 
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, which brought three warring 
water agencies together to create a lasting partnership toward 
guaranteeing water quality and supply for the region.
  I remember Don best as an instrumental participant in the efforts to 
end the water wars between southern and northern California.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Langdon 
``Don'' Owen, a remarkable man who has made lasting and positive 
contributions to the California environment and who has taught, and 
will continue to teach, important lessons in environmental science, 
creativity, innovation, and cooperation. I can think of no one better 
suited to represent a fellowship that will educate and empower the next 
generation of our environmental water scientists that Don Owen. He is 
truly one of the crown jewels of California, and Orange County and UC 
Irvine are fortunate to be associated with him.

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