[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2468-E2469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO MAYOR TAUER AND THE RETIRING AURORA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB BEAUPREZ

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. BEAUPREZ. Mr. Speaker, the political landscape of Colorado's 
third largest city changed considerably after the City of Aurora's 
November 4 municipal elections. Due largely to term limits, the largest 
turnover of elected officials in city history has occurred. The people 
who left public service were committed public servants who have left 
indelible marks on Aurora and positioned the City and its citizens for 
great success and achievement in the 21st century.
  Collectively, Mayor Paul Tauer and Council members Barbara Cleland, 
Bob LeGare, Edna Mosley, John Paroske and Dave Williams provided their 
constituents with 85 years of service as elected officials at the City. 
They have provided visionary leadership and both their knowledge of and 
commitment to issues of importance to the people of Aurora will be hard 
to replace.
  Paul Tauer was the Mayor of Aurora from 1987 until 2003. He was a 
City Councilman for eight years before that. He has been a visionary 
leader whose legacy will be felt for decades to come. He has been at 
the forefront of development in the City, including Original and 
Southeast Aurora, Buckley Air Force Base, Gateway, E-470 corridor, City 
Center, Aurora Municipal Center and the redevelopment of Fitzsimons. He 
was instrumental in establishing a growth management plan that sets 
goals for quality and smart growth and has been a leader in water 
issues including drought management, the enhancement of Aurora's water 
supply including acquisition of new water resources, treatment and use 
of recycled water and more than doubling storage and distribution 
systems. He has also overseen the enhancement of the City's 
transportation systems. He has been Aurora's greatest cheerleader and 
defender and under his leadership, Aurora has grown from a sleepy 
suburb to a vibrant city.
  Barb Cleland served as an Aurora City Councilwoman for 20 years. She 
distinguished

[[Page E2469]]

herself as an expert on public safety issues and was instrumental in 
decisions to make Aurora a leader in ensuring its citizens had 
necessary protections with programs including the Victim Advocate 
program and service on the Officer Standard and Training Board, the 
Aurora Gang Task Force and the National League of Cities Public Safety 
and Crime Prevention Steering Committee. She was active in municipal 
organizations and has been a respected leader in the National League of 
Cities, the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Colorado 
Municipal League, where she remains a member of the Board of Directors.
  Bob LeGare was an Aurora City Councilman for eight years. Devoted to 
the importance of small business, he worked to make Aurora a partner 
with businesses to provide jobs and services. He provided leadership on 
a variety of economic development initiatives including the Fitzsimons 
Redevelopment Authority, Colorado Commission on Taxation, Aurora 
Citizens Advisory Budget Committee, Colorado Office of Regulatory 
Reform Advisory Board, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Association 
of Realtors and the Aurora Realtor Governmental Affairs Committee and 
further contributed to the community through Leadership Aurora, Aurora 
Museum Foundation, Aurora Open Space Board and the Aurora Boys and 
Girls Club.

  Edna Mosley spent 12 years serving Aurora as a City Councilwoman. She 
championed issues of importance to veterans and military retirees and 
worked to promote volunteerism, diversity and the enhancement of the 
cultural arts in the community. She was instrumental in the formation 
of the Aurora Youth Commission and served with distinction on the 
Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Executive Committee, Aurora Economic 
Development Council, Denver International Airport Business Partnership, 
Lowry Economic Recovery Project, Adams County Economic Development 
Council, Community College of Aurora Advisory Council and Aurora 
Business Advisory Board.
  John Paroske completed ten years of public service as a City 
Councilman last month. An accountant, John offered his financial 
expertise and worked hard to make sure Aurora taxpayers knew their 
resources were being used wisely. He devoted countless hours to make 
Aurora a better place through his work on the Economic Development 
Committee, E-470 Authority, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Utility Budget 
Committee, Visitors Promotion Fund, Aurora Education Foundation, Spirit 
of Aurora, Community Housing Services and Aurora Rotary Club.
  Dave Williams served 11 years during two different stints as a member 
of the Aurora City Council. He worked to improve the efficiency of the 
City by encouraging better review processes and more efficient 
administration. He represented the views of his constituents by 
promoting business and development in an effort to improve the City's 
quality of life. He has been a leader in the business community as 
illustrated by his experience on the Aurora Economic Development 
Council, E-470 Authority, Aurora Rotary Club and the Urban Drainage and 
Flood Control District.
  These outstanding public servants deserve our thanks and admiration. 
Their work on behalf of the people of Aurora has improved quality of 
life in innumerable ways. They leave big shoes for their successors to 
fill. We are honored to have served with them and offer our best wishes 
for future success.

                          ____________________