[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ABEL J. TAPIA------

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Thursday, November 14, 2002--

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the contributions of a true statesman from the State of 
Colorado, Abel J. Tapia. Abel has given four years of his life to the 
Colorado State Legislature as a Representative, a position that is 
simply his most recent in a long line of service to his state and 
fellow citizens. Abel is now leaving the State House, and I am honored 
take this opportunity to thank him for his service.
  After a successful engineering career, including graduate work at the 
Graduate School of Business and John F. Kennedy School of Government at 
Harvard University, Abel switched gears, and embarked upon his 
political career. He ran for the Pueblo School District 60 School Board 
and he served there for eight years, helping the people of Pueblo 
drastically improve their public school system. He took on leadership 
positions on the board, serving as vice president for three years and 
as president for two years. In 1998 Abel took his service to the state 
level. As a member of the Colorado State House of Representatives, Abel 
has continued his long-standing dedication to the Pueblo area and its 
people. He is a member of the Legislative Council and is the Chairman 
of the Democratic Caucus, and also serves on the Finance and 
Appropriations Committee.
  Abel is also a valued member of the Colorado community, both as a 
person and as an entrepreneur. He has long served Colorado through his 
engineering firm, Abel Engineering Professionals, which has been 
honored numerous times for its dedication to excellence and service. 
Abel is also known throughout his community for being a devoted husband 
and loving father of three, as well as a grandfather.
  Mr. Speaker, I am quite sure that Abel's leadership and hard work 
will be sorely missed in the State House of Representatives, and I 
thank him for all that he has done for the great State of Colorado. I 
am honored to bring his accomplishments to the attention of this body 
of Congress, and wish him all the best in the future. His hard work and 
dedication truly embodies the spirit of the State, and it is with a 
great deal of pride that I thank him for his many years of public 
service.

                          ____________________