[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 57 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO STATE DIRECTOR BILL LAMB UPON HIS RETIREMENT

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Bill Lamb upon 
his retirement for his thirty-six years of dedicated service with the 
Bureau of Land Management. Mr. Lamb retired on April 2, 1999 after four 
successful years as BLM's State Director in Utah.
  As native Utahn, Bill Lamb began to work for the BLM in 1963 at the 
age of 22. A graduate of Utah State University, he served in a number 
of positions varying from a range conservationist, Director of the 
Arizona Strip to a budget official here in Washington. For the last 
four years Bill has served as the Utah State BLM Director. I know that 
I speak for all of the members of the Utah delegation when I say that 
it has been a privilege to work with him.
  I have watched Bill perform with grace under pressure, always dealing 
with the contentious land management issues in Utah with an even-hand 
and a listening ear. His well-deserved reputation for always being 
honest and candid helped sooth over the hard feelings and frayed nerves 
brought on by the creation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National 
Monument. He was instrumental in the successful completion of the 
historic Utah Schools and Lands Exchange Act of 1998 which traded State 
Trust lands locked up in the Grand Staircase for other federal lands in 
Utah.
  Bill worked to preserve important wildlife habitat and at the same 
time, increased public participation through the creation of the 
Washington County Desert Tortoise Habitat Conservation Plan and the 
reestablishment of the citizens' advisory board. He always strived to 
maintain a balance between conservation and utilization and in the 
process earned a reputation for being one of the most able and affable 
leaders within BLM. I will miss his valuable advice and perspective 
tremendously.
  Secretary Babbitt said: ``Bill Lamb has done a remarkable job in one 
of the most demanding positions in the BLM.'' I could not agree more. I 
thank Bill for his service that was at many times thankless. He will be 
sorely missed. I wish him great success in his future endeavors.

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