[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GODSPEED RON KEENEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 2003

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. 
Ron Keeney who will soon retire after nearly 37 years of great service 
to our Nation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I would emphasize 
the term ``great service'' because the contributions Ron Keeney has 
made to bettering the lives of the people who reside within the 
jurisdictional area of the Huntington District of the Corps of 
Engineers is beyond description here. Indeed, Ron is more than a 
dedicated public servant and wonderful person, I also view him a friend 
not only to myself but to the people of West Virginia.
  Ron will be retiring from the Huntington District where he is the 
Deputy District Engineer for Project Management and the Chief of the 
Planning, Programs and Project Management Division. From my experience, 
Ron brought to this job not just the credentials of a seasoned Corps of 
Engineers veteran in terms of planning and constructing civil works 
projects, but a very real and deeply held belief that the mission of 
the Corps is more than just building locks and dams and flood control 
projects. That in effect, the Corps' mission includes improving our 
environment and providing opportunities for economic development so 
that our children and future generations to come will live in a better 
world.
  Ron Keeney was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and began his rise 
through the ranks of the Corps of Engineers in 1966. He graduated from 
Ohio University with a BBA in Economics, summa cum laude. Over the 
course of his career he has received 30 outstanding/exceptional 
performance ratings and awards, the Silver de Fleury Medal, named USACE 
Planner of the Year, LRD Planner of the Year twice and received the 
Director of Civil Works Special Act Award.
  I have had the privilege to work with Ron on many projects over the 
years and can say without hesitation that no challenge was ever too 
great for him. And challenge him we did indeed. Whether it was 
providing flood control along the Tug Fork River, implementing one of 
the first in the Nation Corps of Engineers environmental infrastructure 
programs, or building a relationship with Marshall University's 
Geotechnical Center, Ron Keeney responded to the challenge. I know for 
a fact that when he looks back at his career he will remember the work 
we did together at the Bluestone Dam facility as a highlight.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and my staff, including Kent Keyser 
and Jim Zoia, we wish Ron Keeney Godspeed on his future endeavors. The 
best to him and his family, and may he continue to reside and prosper 
in the great State of West Virginia.

                          ____________________