[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROBERT R. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 1997

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Robert R. Smith, 
of Morgan Hill, CA, who will be honored May 31, 1997, by the Santa 
Clara Valley Water District and others on the occasion of his 
retirement. I ask that you and the other Members of this distinguished 
body join me to pay special tribute to his important achievements in 
the area of water management.
  Bob has been helping to manage the Santa Clara Valley Water 
District's Water Utility Enterprise over the last 7 years, which 
includes design, construction and operations programs involving 
groundwater recharge, importation of water from the U.S. Bureau of 
Reclamation and the State of California, water treatment and 
reclamation. His contributions to western water management span a 
career of over 33 years, 15 of which have been in management at the 
Santa Clara Valley Water District.
  A native of Michigan, Bob is a graduate of Michigan Technological 
University. He began his career at the Los Angeles County Flood Control 
and Water Conservation District in a variety of civil engineering 
positions in the areas of hydraulics and project management. During the 
course of his distinguished career, Bob served as superintendent of the 
water operations and maintenance at the northern Colorado Water 
Conservancy District and manager/district engineer at the Monterey 
County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, before joining 
Santa Clara Valley Water District. Bob first served as flood control 
manager at Santa Clara then was appointed in 1990 as assistant general 
manager of the water utility.
  Bob Smith's leadership has been central to the successes the district 
has achieved in addressing the flood control needs and water supply 
challenges of Santa Clara County. His expertise and thoughtful approach 
to both management and technical issues continue to manifest themselves 
in the breadth and quality of the district's programs and projects.
  Bob Smith provided a major contribution to the successful 
implementation of the district's ongoing planning, design, and 
construction of its $500 million flood control program featuring 
Federal assistance from both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the 
Federal Natural Resources Conservation Service. He worked closely in 
negotiations with numerous Government agencies, and in collaborative 
discussions with State and Federal agencies in developing district 
solutions. His work with the district's congressional delegation over 
the years set the tone and standard for an emerging new era of 
cooperation and Federal involvement in our county. His vision and 
personal efforts in the establishment of State and Federal water policy 
at the administrative and legislative levels have been tremendous, 
including his participation in the resolution of the diverse issues 
relative to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta.
  Bob Smith epitomizes the best of a public agency executive. The high 
regard in which he is held throughout the California water resources 
establishment and in private industry marks Bob as one of our most 
effective and respected water leaders. He is known throughout the State 
for his technical expertise and insightful leadership. He has inspired 
and mentored many executives, and is a highly respected role model for 
many young managers.
  Mr. Speaker, one of Bob Smith's best qualities is his love and 
tremendous support for his family. Bob and Lolly and their children 
Leeanne and her husband Fred, and Robbin and her husband Oke, have 
built a warm family life in Morgan Hill and now the grandchildren 
Merideth, Miranda, and Conner are nearby, which makes life that much 
sweeter. While Bob and Lolly will now have more time to spend with 
family at their second home in Montana, we hope we can call on Bob in 
the future to seek his counsel on water policy matters. He will be 
missed tremendously at the district and in the county and State water 
circles. Please join me in wishing Bob and his family well and in 
thanking him for his outstanding service to the district and to the 
community.

                          ____________________