[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DERIK FETTIG

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today for the purpose of 
recognizing the efforts of Derik Fettig, a legislative assistant on my 
staff who will be leaving the Senate at the end of this session. With 
his good humor and hard work, Derik has been a tremendous asset as we 
have worked on issues impacting North Dakota.
  A native of Bismarck, ND and graduate of Colorado College, Derik 
joined my Washington office in May 1995, and was immediately drawn into 
some of the most important issues that confront our State. His 
portfolio--which includes water projects and disaster relief--bears 
witness to the fact that he has served at a critical time in our 
State's history.
  Derik played a pivotal role in the aftermath of this year's historic 
disasters. He worked with the Corps of Engineers, as well as with the 
different mayors and local officials up and down the Red River Valley, 
to address the daily crises associated with what was dubbed ``Blizzard 
Hannah'' and the millennium flood. Even more significantly, he helped 
design and implement the Federal assistance strategy, which has 
provided the groundwork for North Dakota's long road to recovery and 
more than $770 million in Federal aid.
  Derik has also been of great help with the ongoing water problems 
facing North Dakota. He has worked to ensure that the Federal 
Government responds adequately to the unfolding tragedy in Devils Lake. 
In addition, he has been the point person on my staff for producing a 
reformulated Garrison Diversion project. With Derik's able assistance, 
we have forged an unprecedented political consensus among North 
Dakota's elected political leadership on a revised plan to address the 
State's long-term water needs. And in the middle of all of this, he ran 
Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN.
  We will miss you, Derik. I commend you for your tireless work and 
wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Roberts). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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