[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOHN OIEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to John Oien of Delta, Colorado for his outstanding career 
in the U.S. Forest Service and to congratulate him on his recent 
retirement. Over his thirty-seven year career, John helped preserve the 
beauty of the national forests in Colorado and other Western states, 
while making them more accessible for the public to enjoy. His service 
to this nation is commendable and worthy of recognition by this body of 
Congress and this nation.
  John graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a 
degree in environmental design while working for the Forest Service in 
the Angeles National Forest. Following his graduation, he worked in 
National Forests in California, Nevada, and Idaho focusing on the 
planning of recreational areas. In 1979, John arrived in Delta, 
Colorado, where he began to work on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and 
Gunnison National Forests. He has also done scenery management work on 
the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway and the San Juan Skyway, and worked with 
the Western Colorado Interpretive Association to allow the public to 
better understand the many qualities of the national forests.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that John Oien has been an invaluable 
resource for the State of Colorado and to our National Forest System. 
His selfless dedication to preserving a priceless part of America's 
landscape is worthy of acknowledgment before this body of Congress and 
this nation today. Thanks, John, for all your hard work, and I wish you 
and your wife, Jenifer, all the best in your well-deserved retirement.

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