[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 141 (Thursday, October 31, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1968-E1969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO MR. DAVID C. FORDHAM OF BARABOO, WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 31, 2002

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. David C. 
Fordham of Baraboo, Wisconsin, who is just concluding his career of 
more than 37 years of federal service.
  Mr. Fordham has served as Commander's Representative at the Badger 
Army Ammunition Plant near Baraboo since 1976, with more than 31 years 
of service at Badger. His early positions at Badger included 
supervisory chemical engineer and contracting officer's representative. 
His achievements and awards have been numerous, including recognition 
annually for nearly the last decade with the Exceptional Performance 
Award and his award this year of the Superior Civilian Service Award.
  Prior to the closure of the Badger plant, Mr. Fordham worked 
tirelessly to ensure that Army industrial installation at Badger was 
modernized and fully prepared to meet its role as the Army's only 
backup source for munitions propellant and smokeless powder.
  However, Mr. Fordham's impact at the Badger plant over his many years 
of service has gone far beyond his critical role in ensuring the 
plant's readiness. He also ensured numerous energy conservation 
improvements, significant improvements in plant safety, and the 
resolution of numerous complex environmental remediation issues.
  In more recent years, with the Army's declaration of the Badger plant 
as excess, Mr. Fordham has worked closely with federal, state, and 
local officials, community organizations, and concerned citizens, 
voluntarily attending countless public meetings--often until late into 
the night--in an advisory capacity on issues regarding reuse and 
cleanup of the plant.
  Mr. Fordham's deep personal relationship with the plant, its 
employees past and present, its history, and his concern for its future 
has been clearly evident as my staff and I have worked closely with him 
on issues regarding Badger. Shortly after I was sworn into federal 
office, I had the pleasure of an in-depth tour of the Badger plant led 
by Mr. Fordham, who shared from this unparalleled knowledge of

[[Page E1969]]

the plant. Again this year, despite his ill health, Mr. Fordham made it 
a point to brief my entire staff and me during our visit to Badger, as 
he highlighted issues of critical importance regarding the plant.
  Since our first meeting, I have been deeply impressed by Mr. 
Fordham's continually increasing willingness to be of assistance that 
has far exceeded the requirements of his official duties, including his 
work to identify and prepare for the remediation of numerous sites on 
the Badger plant.
  Dave Fordham has played multiple crucial roles at Badger and in the 
surrounding community, and his impact will be left for generations to 
come.
  It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Dave Fordham. On 
behalf of a grateful nation, I offer him our gratitude for his 
accomplishments, has service, and his unwavering commitment to duty and 
community.
  I appreciate the opportunity to recognize and commend Mr. David 
Fordham here today.

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