[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               AN ARIZONA PUBLIC POWER UTILITY TURNS 100

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2003

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I call attention today to an Arizona 
institution that has risen from dusty frontier beginnings to become one 
of the nation's most successful public power companies. On Feb. 7, 
2003, the Salt River River Project, generally known as SRP, will mark 
the centennial of its incorporation the oldest multi-purpose 
reclamation project in the nation.
  On rivers east and north of Phoenix, SRP maintains a system of six 
large dams and reservoirs essential to maintaining central Arizona's 
economy. The company also operates a generation and transmission system 
that provides electricity to more than 60 percent of businesses, 
industries and residents of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
  One could say much of SRP's one hundred-year history--how it began 
when pioneering settlers mortgaged their farms and lands for a federal 
loan to build Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River; how SRP paved 
the way for expanded water storage projects to quench central Arizona's 
thirst; how SRP got into the power business; and how it grew from 
hydro-power provider to Arizona's copper mines to the third largest 
public power utility in the U.S.
  While these are noteworthy achievements, SRP deserves further note 
for the community-minded spirit and it has continued to show since the 
days when a partnership between small desert farm communities led to 
the building of Roosevelt Dam.
  Many times in recent years the company's employees have been 
recognized locally and nationally for their spirit of volunteerism and 
generosity. They have led in fundraising for the United Way and have 
contributed time to many good causes, including litter clean-ups, 
school mentoring, environmental teaching, meal service at homeless 
shelters, Special Olympic programs, summer camps for youths--the list 
is long.
  In short, one could say that the community partnerships that led to 
SRP's formation a century ago have instilled in the company an ongoing 
commitment to community service. And, while SRP in virtually every 
respect must operate by the same competitive standards as private 
industry, it has not forgotten the meaning of the word ``public'' as a 
public power and water provider.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish SRP a bright future of continuing good service in 
the year of its centennial.

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