[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1435-E1436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PAYING TRIBUTE TO GUNNISON WATER COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Gunnison Water 
Commission in Gunnison, Colorado. The water commissioners aid citizens 
and friends to efficiently and effectively use the precious resource of 
water. I am honored to recognize their contributions to their community 
before this body of Congress and this nation today.
  This year the Gunnison Water Commission will celebrate one hundred 
and twenty-five years of serving the Western slope of Colorado. The 
water commissioners bring both a wealth of knowledge and experience to 
their field and a true sense of dedication to helping the public 
understand how the water system works throughout the state.
  The water commissioners work partial year contracts mostly in the 
summer when water is

[[Page E1436]]

in high use for irrigation and the snow has melted. They collect data 
on how much water flows through streams or ditches; inspect headgates, 
flumes and springs, and during particularly dry times, undertake the 
difficult task of enforcing water rights. These hard working 
commissioners have improved their efficiency field by adding global 
positioning system technology and many other modern capabilities to 
facilitate better tracking and locating procedures for water in their 
districts.
  Mr. Speaker, the Gunnison water commissioners work hard and take 
pride in the stewardship of a precious resource, and I am confident 
that the Gunnison community is grateful for their dedication. It is a 
privilege to bring the contributions of these fine water commissioners 
to light before this body of Congress. I thank them for their service 
and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

                          ____________________