[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF DENIS NICKEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2001

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the achievements of Denis Gene Nickel, a man who led a life that we can 
all admire and emulate. Denis devoted his life to improving the world 
we live in, and he realized incredible success in his efforts to save 
our nation's natural resources for future generations. He has left us 
with a legacy that demonstrates the power of partnerships and 
stewardship of our natural resources.
  Denis gave thirty-four years of dedicated service to the Natural 
Resource Conservation Service. As an Area Conservationist in Santa 
Rosa, Denis worked extensively in the North Coast counties that I 
represent. His leadership in forming a coalition of local, private, 
state and federal agencies to manage the Mendocino County Tomki 
Watershed was invaluable in garnering support for such an incredibly 
important project in the 1st District of California.
  In addition, Denis provided tremendous assistance and guidance to 
those involved in the viticulture industry in Napa and Sonoma counties. 
He was a pioneer in promoting local stewardship in the development of 
hillside erosion control methods--these methods are the bedrock of the 
methods currently used by viticulturists around the nation. The 
personal integrity that Denis showed in his daily work facilitated 
building a durable consensus of stakeholders in our nation's natural 
resources.
  Denis was the consummate family man who enjoyed spending his time 
with a large extended family. He was married to his high school 
sweetheart, Sandi, for thirty-five years, and he was immensely proud of 
his three children, Wendy, Warren, and Amy.
  His smile and good-natured sense of humor that his family and friends 
knew so well helped him to establish trusted relationships while 
working towards the admirable goal of sustaining America's vital 
resources. Denis worked not only for the benefit of the people of my 
district, but he has also been recognized across the country for his 
tremendous contributions, including his term as State Conservationist 
for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Rhode Island.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to honor the many 
invaluable contributions Denis Nickel made to my district and the 
entire nation. We would be fortunate to have more people of Denis's 
integrity working towards sustaining our natural resources for future 
generations.

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