[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF CHARLES E. CRIST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles E. Crist. 
I have had the pleasure of working with Chuck for the past five years 
in his position as Deputy for Program and Project Management with the 
St. Paul District of the Corps of Engineers. Quite simply put, he is 
one of the finest public servants I have had the opportunity to work 
with.
  Throughout his time with the St. Paul District, Chuck has stood out 
as an individual who could tackle complex, sensitive water resource 
issues. He is a man of great integrity, with a deep commitment to the 
issues he works on. His contributions to the Corps are numerous, but 
one that will always be recognized is his efforts to make the Corps a 
truly responsive agency to the needs of the communities it serves.
  During the devastating flood of 1997, Chuck worked to coordinate 
emergency response measures in Grand Forks, North Dakota and all along 
the Red River. In the aftermath of the flood, Chuck assembled a team 
within the Corps to design plans for a permanent flood control project 
for Grand Forks. He was instrumental in leading efforts to expedite the 
development of the project reports needed to secure authorization. 
Without the quick, creative work of Chuck and his team within the 
Corps, we would have missed a critical window to secure congressional 
authorization. In recognition of this work, the team received the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers Outstanding Planning Achievement Award for 
Planning Team of the Year. Thanks to Chuck's dedicated efforts, Grand 
Forks is now getting the protection it so desperately needs.
  In addition to his work in Grand Forks, Chuck has also led efforts to 
address the ongoing flooding in the Devils Lake Basin. His work has 
been critical to protecting the future of a town that has experienced 
eight years of continual flooding. All throughout this process, he has 
been able to balance a wide range of issues while implementing workable 
solutions. No matter what the challenge, Chuck has always been able to 
meet or exceed it.
  Chuck's friendly demeanor and genuine sympathetic nature have made 
him a trusted public servant. He has been wholeheartedly committed to 
working with North Dakota communities through difficult water problems 
and challenges. Through tough and daunting times, he has always 
maintained a level of optimism that has gone unmatched. There is no 
doubt that North Dakota has been well-served under his leadership.
  Above all, Chuck is a valued friend and partner. Chuck will be missed 
for his personality, remembered for his professionalism, and honored 
for the positive change he brought to the Corps. After a distinguished 
career that has spanned more than 32 years, I want to thank Chuck for 
his service to the Corps and the State of North Dakota. I wish him all 
the best in his retirement.

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