[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 75 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1025]]
 COMMENDING ROGER HOLMES--RECIPIENT OF THE 2000 NATIONAL WETLANDS AWARD

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                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2000

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Roger Holmes, a 
friend, former Director of the Fish and Wildlife Division at the 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and a recipient of 
this year's National Wetlands Award. The sky blue water of Minnesota's 
ten thousand plus lakes have kept their sparkle because folks like 
Roger Holmes built a lifetime career around preserving Minnesota's 
precious resources.
  A product of Minnesota's schooling, Roger received a bachelor's 
degree in zoology from the University of Minnesota where he also 
conducted graduate study in wildlife management. For the next 41 years, 
Roger received an even better education from the school of hard knocks 
learning how to combine on the ground know-how with academic knowledge, 
and at the same time, apply it to the political process. From his early 
days as a biologist on up to Assistant Supervisor at the Minnesota 
Conservation Department, and to his most recent position as Director of 
the Fish and Wildlife Division at the MDNR, Roger remained courageous 
and passionate, yet in tune with the bureaucratic process. In short, he 
knew his way around, suffered fools poorly, and made many directors and 
legislators look good along the way.
  I had the pleasure as a State Representative of working with Roger 
during his stint with the Section of Game and Fish at the MDNR to pass 
the landmark Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Act with State Senator 
Willett, and enacting new protections for Minnesota nongame species. 
Throughout this time, Roger was outspoken and objective, not always 
giving answers that we ``policymakers'' wanted to hear during our brain 
storming sessions. Although the facts may not always have been 
pleasant, this process and Roger Holmes' forthright intellectual 
responses were translated into sound policy; the good result of a true 
public servant and defender of the environment.
  More recently, Roger was one of the state's most outspoken supporters 
of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act which would provide $350 
million annually to the Pittman-Robertson fund for wildlife 
conservation and restoration. Receiving positive feedback from Holmes 
and other committed MDNR employees provided a good foundation for me to 
enter into negotiations for this legislation. Roger Holmes will not 
have the pleasure of directly using these funds, but it should be noted 
that indirectly this program is part of the legacy that Roger has 
shaped. Roger has become a fixture at the MDNR, and will be sorely 
missed in the years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, Roger Holmes deserves our utmost gratitude and 
admiration for all his hard work and dedication over the years. Please 
join me in congratulating Mr. Roger Holmes on this prestigious National 
Wetlands Award, and in wishing Roger, his wife Barbara, and his three 
children, Kristin, Brad, and Greg, all the best as they embark on a new 
beginning.

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