[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S8201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO COMMISSIONER ROBERT W. VARNEY

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to an esteemed colleague and dear friend, Robert W. Varney, 
Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 
NHDES, on being appointed Regional Administrator for the Environmental 
Protection Agency, EPA--New England.
  Mr. Varney has served the Granite State as Commissioner of NHDES 
since July of 1989, having been appointed by three Governors, Judd 
Gregg, Steve Merrill and Jeanne Shaheen, with the unanimous approval of 
the Executive Council. Mr. Varney was responsible for the great task of 
overseeing all of New Hampshire's air, water and waste programs issues. 
He is recognized nationally as an environmental leader, and has 
presided over countless prestigious environmental committees and 
organizations, including President of the Environmental Council of the 
States, ECOS, the National Organization of State Environmental 
Commissioners and has served on the National Environmental Justice 
Advisory Council.
  While his national recognition is commendable, Mr. Varney's prowess 
in the New England region has been demonstrated by his high ranking 
positions on numerous regional organizations such as the Gulf of Maine 
Council on the Marine Environment, the Ozone Transport Commission, the 
New England Governors Conference Environment Committee, and the New 
England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, just to name a 
few. In June 2000, his efforts to partner with the private sector were 
recognized when he was presented with the Paul Keough Environmental 
Award for Government Service by the Environmental Business Council of 
New England.
  As former Chairman and current ranking member of the Senate Committee 
on Environment and Public Works, and one time Chairman of the Superfund 
Sub-committee, I have had the pleasure of working quite closely with 
Mr. Varney on a wide range of issues. On numerous occasions I have 
depended on his far-reaching environmental expertise to testify before 
Congress on key issues such as the dangers of the fuel additive MTBE, 
the current status of superfund cleanup activities and on successful 
state environmental programs.
  With the help of Mr. Varney's leadership, New Hampshire has become, 
and continues to be, a front-runner in exploring innovative, low-cost 
technologies while reaping the benefits of developing successful 
Federal and State relationships. I commend Mr. Varney for his exemplary 
service to New Hampshire, and look forward to watching the success that 
will follow him in this next endeavor. New Hampshire, New England and 
the Nation are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated environmental 
leader take on the vitally important role of EPA Regional 
Administrator, and I am certain he will execute this duty with 
comparable distinction. It is with pleasure that I extend my deepest 
congratulations and hope for future success.

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