[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE RETIREMENT OF PROCTOR JONES

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today to salute Proctor 
Jones on his retirement from the Senate Appropriations Committee and to 
thank him for his many years of service to the Senate and the Nation. 
When Proctor retires at the end of this month after an amazing 35 years 
of public service, the Senate will lose one of its most distinguished 
staff members. Proctor will be remembered for his professionalism, 
dedication, and good judgment while working for the Appropriations 
Committee, and for his work as staff director for the Energy and Water 
Development Subcommittee for the past 23 years.
  Mr. President, I have greatly appreciated all the help Proctor has 
given my office since I came to the Senate in 1987. North Dakota has 
many water development needs, and the work Proctor has done on the 
Energy and Water Development Subcommittee has been critical to helping 
meet those needs. The Garrison Diversion Project was first authorized 
in 1965 and was reformulated in 1986 to ensure my State an adequate 
supply of quality water for municipal, rural, and industrial uses. 
Water development in North Dakota is also essential for economic 
development, agriculture, recreation, and tourism. The Federal 
Government promised the Garrison project to North Dakota to compensate 
my State for the permanent flood of over 550,000 acres due to the 
construction of the Garrison and Oahe Dams. Proctor has played an 
instrumental role in funding this essential project to meet North 
Dakota's unmet water development needs and fulfill the Federal 
Government's promise to my State.
  Mr. President, Proctor will be greatly missed by all who worked with 
him. I know we in the Senate will get our work done without Proctor's 
talent and ability, but filling his shoes will be a tremendous 
challenge for those who follow him. I am pleased to know that Proctor 
will remain in Washington, working with my good friend Senator Bennett 
Johnston.
  Mr. President, I am delighted to wish Proctor all the best upon his 
departure from the Senate. I thank the Chair and yield the 
floor.

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