[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO JIM OLTERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow as I rise to pay 
tribute to the memory and passing of Colorado Division of Wildlife 
biologist, Jim Olterman of Dolores, Colorado. Jim Olterman had an 
exemplary career in his time at the agency and embodied the principles 
of honesty, hardwork, and courage that Coloradans and all Americans 
should strive to exemplify. As his family mourns his loss, we should 
pay tribute to a man who has contributed so much not only to the 
vitality of the region's wildlife, but also to the State of Colorado.
  Mr. Olterman tragically lost his life Wednesday when his plane 
crashed while he was carrying out aerial fish-stocking duties high in 
the lakes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As the most experienced 
pilot in the CDOW, Jim understood the danger that was involved in 
flying these high risk operations, but he chose the assignment because 
he believed in the division's mission to ensure the vitality of animal 
species in the wild.
  Mr. Olterman served a very distinguished career in 27 years at the 
division. After attending Oregon State graduate school, Mr. Olterman 
entered into Division of Wildlife training classes and, in 1972, began 
to work for the Colorado Division of Wildlife's Ridgeway District. In 
1979, Jim was promoted to the position of senior terrestrial biologist 
for the district, followed by a promotion in 1994 to senior terrestrial 
biologist for the entire Western Slope of Colorado.
  Jim was involved in the reintroduction of many wildlife species in 
Western Colorado such as moose, lynx, and the black foot ferret. He was 
also the lead biologist of big game species in his district and played 
a crucial role in the expansion of big game herds throughout the 
region. Well-liked and widely respected throughout the agency, Jim 
Olterman was known as the ``go to guy'' who could always provide 
assistance and a thoughtful opinion on a broad range of subjects. It 
has been widely expressed throughout the CDOW that his pleasant company 
will be deeply missed and the proficiency and expertise that he brought 
to his work will be irreplaceable.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect and great sadness that I 
recognize Mr. Jim Olterman before this body of Congress and this nation 
for the definitive contributions he made to his profession, to 
Colorado, and this nation. He devoted his life to the protection and 
management of Colorado's wildlife, and I commend him for the diligence 
and commitment he displayed in his professional endeavors. He will be 
missed by the many souls he touched in his life and I express my 
sincere condolences to his wife Robin and his family.

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