[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 100 (Monday, July 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF JOHN A. COLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2004

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that 
I rise today to recognize the achievements and activities of John A. 
Coleman. Mr. Coleman currently is serving as the President of the 
California Association of Sanitation Agencies otherwise known as CASA. 
CASA is a statewide association of wastewater treatment agencies that 
is responsible for ensuring the protection and improvement of 
California's water quality for more than 22 million Californians and 
their related businesses and our state's natural resources. He was 
elected CASA President after serving as a member of this association 
since 1990. It is also noteworthy that he assumed this leadership role 
after he was elected to the Board of Directors of the East Bay 
Municipal Utility District that provides water quality and water supply 
services to many of my constituents of the 10th Congressional District.
  Mr. Coleman was the first CASA President to serve a two-year term of 
office, having been unanimously elected by the General Council of the 
California Association of Sanitation Agencies on August 9, 2002 and re-
elected August 15, 2003. He will conclude his term as the 46th 
President on August 7, 2004.
  Mr. Coleman's performance on behalf of CASA has been one of strong 
leadership. He has provided important guidance on complex legislative 
and regulatory issues affecting the management of local public 
wastewater agencies as these agencies strive to comply with the myriad 
of federal requirements. On many an occasion I have had the opportunity 
to review a number of these matters with Mr. Coleman in his capacity as 
President of CASA and as a member of the East Bay Municipal Utility 
District Board of Directors.
  In each of these roles, Mr. Coleman displayed the highest level of 
integrity establishing a threshold of performance that served CASA 
well. He used his position at CASA both as President and a Member of 
the Executive Board to encourage all CASA members to maintain the 
highest level of professional performance in the course of conducting 
the public's business.
  Of special note, during Mr. Coleman's tenure as CASA President, he 
launched a state wide program to promote the beneficial use of 
biosolids to improve the quality of our lands and minimize the 
inappropriate disposal of a useful byproduct of water quality programs. 
This program has generated a better understanding on the part of the 
public on how we can be better stewards of our local communities and 
their natural resources.

  Most recently, Mr. Coleman oversaw the first CASA Federal Legislative 
Outreach Seminar, bringing to Washington 40 public officials to meet 
with their congressional delegations and U.S Environmental Protection 
Agency officials. This effort typified Mr. Coleman's commitment to 
working to enhance the CASA members' understanding of the policymaking 
process and to promote increased public participation in the 
legislative and regulatory processes. Through this activity, he has 
elevated and solidified CASA's leading role as one of the most 
effective, respected, and influential California public association 
dedicated to wastewater and water quality improvements.
  As Mr. Coleman prepares to complete his term as CASA President, I 
want to take note of these accomplishments and to commend him for his 
tireless commitment to improve the water quality of California's lakes, 
rivers, streams and coastal waters. His commitment and leadership at 
CASA means that valuable recreational, economic and social activities 
that today's Californians enjoy will be available for California's 
future generations. I congratulate him on his many achievements.

                          ____________________