[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JO ANN SORENSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and honor 
Jo Ann Sorensen for her exemplary public service as Clear Creek County 
Commissioner for almost eight years. I would also like to thank her on 
behalf of all Coloradans for the in-depth and diverse philanthropic 
work that she has contributed to the community. She has ensured that 
our great state remains a very special place to live and has innately 
displayed the qualities of a dedicated public servant.
  Throughout her life, Jo Ann has demonstrated time and time again that 
she excels in all of her endeavors. She has served on almost every 
possible steering committee to represent not only Clear Creek County's 
interests, but also those of the I-70 corridor communities. It has been 
through this committee work that Jo Ann has achieved her numerous 
successes. Putting local and regional issues at the forefront of her 
agenda, she has systematically made it her cause to learn and 
understand the problems that plague our community. Through the wealth 
of knowledge that she has acquired, she has been able to help address 
these issues with her fellow County Commissioners, allowing her to 
volunteer her time for various other projects. Recently, Jo Ann was 
selected to receive the prestigious Colorado Counties, Inc., CCI, 
Commissioner of the Year Award. This award is a true testament to Jo 
Ann's long and distinguished list of achievements.
  Jo Ann's work spans many areas. Aside from serving as Vice Chairman 
of the CCI Mountain District, she has spearheaded many reforms to 
better the lives of Colorado citizens. Working with her colleague Clear 
Creek County Commissioners, Jo Ann has greatly contributed to many 
transportation initiatives for the 1-70 Corridor Counties, while at the 
same time helping to revamp the Emergency Services in her area by 
pushing for the Reverse 911 Programs. It is this type of multi-faceted 
focus that has allowed Jo Ann to direct her energies into numerous 
projects and reforms.
  But if one was to look at her many accomplishments, they would notice 
that her strengths reside squarely in her efforts to maintain the 
environment. Not only has Jo Ann testified at the Colorado Water 
Conservation Board on watershed development impacts, she has led the 
fight to protect the Beaver Brook Watershed property and participated 
in the establishment of the James Peak Wilderness. Her emphasis on 
preservation has allowed all Coloradans to enjoy the ridgeline beauty 
and pristine lakes that Colorado has to offer.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in expressing our 
gratitude to Jo Ann Sorensen for her many years of public service and 
her contributions to the people of Colorado. I have only touched on a 
small fraction of Jo Ann's work, and I believe that she has displayed 
numerous times why she is deserving of our recognition. Although she is 
leaving her post as a county commissioner, I am sure, given her energy, 
dedication and passion for maintaining and improving the quality of 
life for all Coloradans that she will remain active in community 
issues. I wish her and her family good health and happiness for many 
years to come.

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