[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING WILLIAM J. FELTY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a great Arkansan, and 
I am proud to recognize Billy J. Felty in the Congress for his 
invaluable contributions and service to our nation.
  Next week Bill retire as Chief Engineer of the St. Francis Levee 
District, thereby completing a distinguished career that spanned more 
than four decades. He was first employed by the district as an 
assistant engineer in 1959--shortly thereafter he became a member of 
the engineering committee of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control 
Association, and has since served two terms each as the committee's 
secretary and vice-chairman, and was named chairman in 1982 and 1984. 
In this capacity he headed a committee that studied the Birds Point-New 
Madrid Floodway, concluding that the floodway is an essential part of 
the approved flood control plan for the Lower Mississippi Valley, and 
recommending that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers be prepared to 
utilize the floodway immediately in emergency circumstances.
  This kind of leadership naturally led to Bill's promotion to Chief 
Engineer in 1989, which made him responsible for the maintenance and 
operation of the approximately 160 miles of main line Mississippi River 
levee and 70 miles of interior levee in the District. His work in this 
capacity earned him the Army Commanders Award for Public Service, the 
Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, the Army Bronze Order of the 
de Fleury Medal, and a Plaque for Dedicated and Devoted Service from 
the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association.
  In addition to this outstanding record of accomplishment, Bill also 
found time to be an active member of his community, assuming many 
influential roles, including President of the West Memphis Jaycees; 
Charter Member of Senator Blanche Lincoln's State Agriculture Advisory 
Committee; Chairman of the West Memphis City Board of Adjustments; 
President of the J.W. Rich Girls Club; and chairman of church 
committees.
  Bill dedicated his life to protecting the lives and fortunes of his 
fellow citizens, and he deserves our respect and gratitude for his 
contributions. On behalf of the Congress, I extend my best wishes to my 
good friend Billy Felty on his retirement.

                          ____________________