[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO W.D. FARR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 1997

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
man who helped shape the history of water development in eastern 
Colorado--William Daven ``W.D.'' Farr. Mr. Farr is the epitome of a 
Colorado pioneer.
  W.D. Farr was born in 1910 in Greeley, CO, and worked on his 
grandfather's homestead. The Farrs' success at raising sheep led W.D. 
to enroll at the University of Wisconsin, which had the best sheep 
research department in the United States. In 1929, Mr. Farr returned to 
Greeley to join his father, Harry, in business when his studies were 
cut short by a severe illness. In 1948, Harry divided the business 
between his two sons. As the business grew over the years, W.D. 
acquired ranches and farms, plus land for feedlots.
  Mr. Farr's vision in the area of local and regional water planning 
has been invaluable to the citizens of Greeley contributing to the 
economic prosperity of the community and the development of long range 
water project planning. Commitment and service to the Greeley community 
and the State of Colorado have been priorities in Farr's life. His many 
accomplishments include, but are not limited to the following:
  Board of Director of the Greeley-Loveland Irrigation Company from 
1947 to 1955;
  Board of Director of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District 
from 1955 to 1995;
  Chairman of the Greeley Water and Sewer Board for 36 years from its 
inception in 1959 until January of 1996;
  First president of the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado 
Water Conservancy District;
  President of the National Cattlemen's Association from 1971 to 1972;
  Member of the Water Pollution Control Advisory Board of the U.S. 
Department of the Interior appointed by President Richard Nixon in 
1973;
  Chairman of the Region 208 Area Wide Planning Commission of the 
Larimer-Weld Council of Governments in 1974;
  Member of the Colorado Water Congress in 1975; and in 1985 named the 
Wayne Aspinall Water Leader of the Year by the Colorado Water Congress;
  Inaugural inductee into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame when it 
was established in 1991; and
  Inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1995.
  On Tuesday, June 17, 1997, the Greeley City Council will honor W.D. 
Farr by passing a city ordinance recognizing his illustrious service to 
his community, State, and Nation and naming him chairman emeritus of 
the Greeley Water and Sewer Board. I am pleased to join with the 
Greeley community in commending W.D. Farr on his numerous and 
outstanding contributions.

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