[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13143-S13144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM C. WALTERS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS MOVE FROM THE 
      PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HEADQUARTERS

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, my Pacific Northwest colleagues 
and I have mixed emotions about the recent move of our friend Bill 
Walters to Washington, DC. Although he will be sorely missed in our 
region, where he served in the Seattle office as deputy director for 
the National Park Service's Pacific West region, we realize that he 
will be playing a crucial role as associate to the Director for the 
National Park Service in its headquarters office within the Department 
of the Interior. We wish him much success in this new posting.
  After serving the Pacific Northwest so ably, Bill has demonstrated he 
is well suited for his new job. The regional leadership of the Park 
Service call him the ``regional dad.'' He has a charming way of being 
able to take care of things and make everyone feel good about the 
outcome. I imagine this is what the Director of the Park Service 
immediately sensed and why we lost a good person in the Northwest, but 
gained one at National Park Service Headquarters.
  Bill arrived in Seattle in 1992, just as the new administration was 
talking about downsizing. He shepherded a reasonable approach to 
efficient management, reducing the numbers of employees without an 
employee losing his or

[[Page S13144]]

her job. More importantly, in consultation with me and other members of 
the congressional delegation, he maintained an office in Seattle, which 
provides direct service to the people of the Pacific Northwest.
  The upheaval created by this reorganization was considerable. His 
calm voice of reason and genuine compassion made it possible for all of 
us to work at finding improvement, efficiency, and value in maintaining 
an office in the Pacific Northwest.
  It was through this difficult process that I became acquainted with 
Bill. Since then, I have witnessed numerous examples of his good 
judgment and the gracious manner in which he brings people together 
around thoughtful solutions. He is a master statesman.
  Bill is one of the few park professionals who has experience at the 
local, State, and Federal levels. This experience and his rare personal 
qualities make him a perfect negotiator and an effective steward of the 
public trust. Bill developed a impressive working agreement with the 
State of Idaho for managing the city of Rocks National Reserve. I 
witnessed his skill firsthand when we worked together in the creation 
of the city, county, and national partnership for Washington's Ebey's 
Landing National Reserve, which is bringing new vision and energy to 
the management of this unique park.
  He was instrumental in helping to forge the partnership that resulted 
in the Vancouver National Historic Reserve along the Columbia River in 
my State of Washington. Without his personal involvement, the site 
would still be mired in controversy. Instead, we have Federal, State, 
local, and private entities working together to support a site that has 
200 years of European history and countless years of pre-European 
archeology.
  There is a quiet competence and goodness about this man that enables 
him to work collaboratively with NGOs, environmental activists, 
employees, allies, community leaders, and opponents alike. I have 
always appreciated his honesty and forthright character. Many in the 
Northwest have come to respect and appreciate Bill's open and engaging 
manner and professionalism. Bill represents park interests in a way 
that has made partners out of adversaries. You can't go very far in the 
Pacific Northwest without seeing examples of Bill's effective problem 
solving and sound stewardship.
  We may have lost a skilled and trusted manager in the Northwest, but 
National Park Service Director Fran Mainella has gained a valuable 
associate who will serve her and the National Park Service well in the 
years ahead. We all benefit by having this man of integrity in 
Government service.

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