[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2520-E2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MAYOR PAUL TAUER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, profound political change has come to 
Aurora, Colorado, and that change provides an opportunity to reflect on 
the contributions of Mayor Paul Tauer and City Councilors Barb Cleland, 
Bob LeGare, Bob Perosky and Dave Williams.
  These dedicated public servants had a profound impact on a growing 
and vibrant city. Aurora has grown dramatically and it is now one of 
the largest city in the nation--indeed people now refer to the Denver-
Aurora Metro area. Aurora's population is approaching 300,000, or 
almost the size of Buffalo, New York and St. Paul, Minnesota. During 
this period of rapid growth, these civic leaders insured that services 
kept pace with growth, and that growth met the needs of the residents.
  Few people contributed more to this process than the out going Mayor 
Paul Tauer. He served as Mayor from 1987 to 2003, and sat on the city 
council for eight years prior to his election as Mayor. During his 
tenure, the face of the city was literally reconfigured to respond to 
the demands of the 21st century.
  During the Mayor's tenure Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center was closed 
and it was replaced by the largest medical facility between Chicago and 
California. The former Fitzsimmons campus is now home to the University 
of Colorado's Health Science Center, the University Hospital, the 
Lion's Eye Bank, the University Physicians HMO and a large and growing 
biotechnology research park which has become a magnet for research and 
development firms in the Rocky Mountain Region. Soon the former 
Fitzsimmons campus will be the location of a new Denver Children's 
Hospital and a new Veterans Administration Hospital, replacing the 
antiquated facility in Denver. The Fitzsimmons campus will employ more 
than 30,000 people and generate untold millions in revenue.
  The phenomenon of Fitzsimmons was not the only notable development 
contributing to the increasing dynamism of Aurora. Buckley Air National 
Guard Base became Buckley Air Force Base, a new facility of the Air 
Force Space Command. Ongoing growth at Buckley is likely to continue as 
the role of space-based defense in our national security grows to meet 
the requirements of military transformation and the war on terror. It 
was Mayor Tauer who worked actively with the Air Force to make the new 
base a reality ensuring that the requirements for national security 
were balanced against the requirements of a growing urban community.
  Mayor Tauer also presided over the redevelopment of ``original'' 
Aurora and development of the Southeast area of the city. This 
revitalization was accomplished by a city-wide growth management plan 
which created realistic, yet forward-looking standards for ``quality'' 
and ``smart'' growth. Aurora's implementation for these policies has 
won widespread recognition for its excellence.
  Perhaps in no area was Mayor Tauer's foresight more evident than his 
leadership on water resource issues. During his time in office Aurora 
has acquired new water resources, increased distribution and treatment 
facilities and implemented innovative recycling and drought management 
policies. The result has been an effective doubling of water 
system capacity. Among his most notable achievements was forging an 
agreement with the Department of Interior's Bureau of Reclamation that 
ensured the city's storage facility in the Bureau's Pueblo Reservoir. I 
am currently working with Representatives Beauprez and Hefley to codify 
that agreement in federal law.

  Mr. Speaker, Mayor Tauer has been the force that has given shape, 
form and a distinctive identity to Aurora. Nowhere is this more evident 
than in the new Aurora Municipal center. The new urban core of the city 
includes a recently opened municipal building, public safety building, 
a central library and museum. Together, they constitute the virtual 
center of this increasingly urbane metropolis. This distinctive city 
locus took shape during the tenure of Mayor Tauer.
  Paul Tauer did not do it alone. Working with him for growth and 
progress in Aurora was an exceptional cadre of city councilors whose 
vision and understanding contributed mightily to the city.
  Barb Cleland served on the council for two decades and focused on 
insuring that public safety and public services in Aurora were 
unrivaled. An early advocate of victims' rights, her leadership and 
influence extended beyond Aurora to the National League of Cities and 
other municipal groups. The valuable contributions to all areas of city 
governances will be sorely missed.
  Edna Mosely spent 12 years on the city council. Edna, whose husband 
was one of the

[[Page E2521]]

original ``Tuskegee Airmen,'' worked tirelessly on behalf of military 
veterans and was actively involved in military cultural diversity 
issues. She served with distinction on a host of city boards including 
the Fitzsimmons Commission and served with distinction on the 
Fitzsimmons 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's Business Advisory Board.
  In 10 years on the council John Parosky was a voice for fiscal 
prudence and effective and efficient government. He brought his 
financial expertise to bear in ensuring that tax dollars were used as 
optimally as possible. His commitment to the city can also be found in 
his work; 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.
  An eight year veteran of the council, Bob LeGare was a passionate 
advocate of small business, who took in a leadership role in many 
economic development programs. Bob was devoted to the importance of 
small business, he worked to make Aurora a partner with business to 
provide jobs and services. He provided leadership on a variety of 
economic development initiatives including the Fitzsimmons 
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, and Aurora Open.

  Dave Williams served 11 years 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 has been a 
leader in the business community as illustrated by his experiences on 
the Aurora Economic Development Council, E-470 Authority, Aurora Rotary 
Club and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.
  Mr. Speaker, these dedicated officials deserve our thanks. At a time 
when cynicism about public officials appears to be the prevailing 
sentiment, they provide models of dedication and selflessness that defy 
these contemporary stereotypes. I am honored to have worked with them 
and wish them well in the days ahead.

                          ____________________