[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. NORM D. COVELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Mr. Norm D. Covell, a 
man with a great career in public service. For the past four decades, 
Norm has worked tirelessly to reduce air pollution and its affects on 
public health. Norm will soon retire from his current position as the 
Air pollution Control Officer for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air 
Quality Management District. As Norm's friends, family, and colleagues 
gather to celebrate his distinguished career, I ask all my colleagues 
to join me in saluting this outstanding citizen of Sacramento.
  After obtaining his bachelor of science degrees from California State 
University--Fresno, Norm began his environmental health and air quality 
career as a military preventive medicine specialist. Eventually, Norm 
would be appointed as the Assistant Director for the Fresno County 
Department of Health and Assistant Air Pollution Control Officer. 
During his two decades of service in Fresno County, Norm was 
instrumental in implementing a number of effective and innovative 
solutions to air quality management.
  In 1984, Norm was named as the Air Pollution Control Officer for the 
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. During this 
period, Norm has been deservingly recognized as a visionary and 
dedicated leader at the local, state, and national levels of government 
for his efforts in advancing programs and policies that significantly 
improve air quality.
  The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District works 
cooperatively to coordinate the efforts of local, state and federal 
government agencies, the business community, and private citizens to 
achieve and maintain healthy air quality for Sacramento. This vision 
recognizes that the AQMD alone cannot achieve healthy air for 
Sacramento, but that combined with its regulatory role and its lead 
role in development of innovative programs, it can encourage the 
cooperative inter-agency and public effort that will be required to 
improve air quality. As the Air Pollution Control Officer, Norm 
oversees a dedicated staff of 83 positions and an annual program budget 
of $19 million.
  Norm was an instrumental force in developing an innovative market-
based incentive program to reduce regional mobile source emissions. 
This program eventually became the model for the very successful Mayor 
Program that has been adopted throughout California. Norm also played a 
crucial role in creating the Business Environmental Resource Center 
that helps regional small businesses understand and comply with air 
quality, hazardous materials and water quality regulations. Throughout 
his career, Norm has demonstrated a consistent ability to increase 
awareness of air quality issues. Therefore, it is no surprise that so 
many of Norm's projects and ideas have gained national recognition and 
replication.
  As a result of his sterling reputation in the field of air quality 
management, Norm has served in a number of important leadership roles. 
Norm was the President of the California Environmental Health 
Association from 1977 to 1979. Norm served as the President of the 
California Air Pollution Control Officers Association from 1984 to 
1986. From 1994 to 1995, Norm was the President of the National 
Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials. Norm's impressive 
resume is a testament to his status as one of California's most 
accomplished leaders in the field of air quality management.
  In his retirement, Norm can look forward to spending more time with 
his family. Norm will also devote more time to two of his favorite 
pursuits: fishing and his beloved San Francisco 49ers. I am confident 
that Norm would achieve great success and happiness in his retirement, 
just as he had throughout his professional career.
  Mr. Speaker, as Norm's friends, family and colleagues gather to 
celebrate his great career; I am truly honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most honorable citizens. The Sacramento region has 
benefited greatly from having Norm's strong leadership. He will be 
missed greatly by all who worked with him. I ask all of my colleagues 
to join with me in wishing Norm continued success in all of his future 
endeavors, wherever retirement may lead him.

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