[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 20 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO MRS. BETTY WELLS AND MR. ERNIE McCOLLUM UPON THEIR 
                              RETIREMENTS

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                          HON. DAVID D. PHELPS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 1999

  Mr. PHELPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to two of my 
constituents on the occasion of their retirement from the Board of 
Trustees of the Rend Lake Conservancy District. Rend Lake is a major 
southern Illinois reservoir whose construction was prompted by a severe 
regional drought in the 1950s. The Rend Lake Conservancy District 
operates a water treatment plant which serves 300,000 people in over 60 
communities, as well as the Lake's enormously popular recreational 
facilities, which boast a golf course and resort, as well as hunting, 
fishing, camping, and boating.
  Needless to say, the work of the Conserv- ancy District is immensely 
important to the people of southern Illinois, and to the entire state, 
and it would not be possible without the leadership of a dedicated and 
capable Board of Trustees. Sadly, two esteemed members of this Board 
have recently announced their retirement and I am here today to express 
my deep appreciation for the service of Mrs. Betty Wells of Jefferson 
County and Mr. Ernie McCollum of Franklin County. These two remarkable 
people have contributed outstanding service to the people of southern 
Illinois through their excellent stewardship. I know their presence on 
the Board will be missed but their accomplishments will surely be long 
remembered. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in wishing Mrs. Wells 
and Mr. McCollum the very best in whatever the future may hold for 
them.

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