[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 9 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E149]]
                     IN RECOGNITION OF RON STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ron 
Stewart for his many years of public service and the many contributions 
he has made to the people of Colorado. I want to thank him on behalf of 
all Boulder's citizens for the depth and diversity of contributions he 
has made to ensure that Boulder County remains a very special place to 
live.
  A lifelong resident of Longmont, Ron has been active in Colorado 
politics for over 30 years. During college he organized the Young 
Democrats in Longmont for several years and was elected Chair of the 
Boulder Democratic Party at the age of 21. He graduated with a Bachelor 
of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado and 
did graduate work at the University of Colorado in Denver in Public 
Administration. He served as Executive Director of the Colorado State 
Party from 1972 through 1975 and was elected to the Colorado Senate in 
1976 where he served two terms, retiring as Senate Minority Leader.
  Before being elected as Boulder County Commissioner in 1984, Ron was 
a member of the Mile High United Way Board of Directors and Chairman 
for the Political Action for Conservation. From 1977-1982 he served on 
the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee, and he was 
a member of the Colorado Environment Lobby Board of Directors from 
1985-1986.
  He has earned several honors, including ``Outstanding Senator'' in 
1984 from the Colorado Social Legislation Committee and ``Friend of 
Education Award'' from the Colorado Education Association in 1986, and 
has received awards from PLAN Boulder County, Boulder County Audubon, 
and the Colorado Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He also has been 
recognized nationally for his work on intergovernmental cooperation. 
This year, the American Planning Association bestowed upon him the very 
prestigious Distinguished Elected Official Award.
  As a county commissioner, Ron has served with distinction from 1985-
2005. He has been a visionary in the development of Boulder County's 
Open Space Program, leading the effort to protect the county's natural 
beauty and preserve its agricultural heritage. Commissioner Stewart has 
gained nationwide respect and admiration for his commitment to orderly 
land use planning that is built on cooperation and consensus, 
particularly through the Super-IGA. In presiding over an era of de-
centralization of services, Commissioner Stewart has been a vigorous 
advocate for improving county government accessibility. In developing 
new ways to involve stakeholders in the county's policy making process, 
he has done much to make government more understandable to its 
constituents. In trying to find ways to lessen the impacts of policy 
changes on those constituents least able to adjust to them, he has 
shown his compassion for the less fortunate.
  I am particularly appreciative of the work Commissioner Stewart has 
done to invigorate the Boulder County social services delivery system, 
by fostering collaboration in program development and management, 
leading the way to innovative problem-solving, the most notable 
examples being the Genesis and IMPACT programs. Commissioner Stewart's 
advocacy for enhanced funding of social programs has made all the 
difference in a number of ballot questions, notably the Worthy Cause 
Tax, and as a result, Boulder County's nonprofit human service agencies 
get the support they need.

  Commissioner Stewart has been a careful custodian of the taxpayers' 
dollars, managing the county's budget with restraint and according to 
the highest ethical standards. He has consistently represented the 
Office of County Commissioner with grace and dignity.
  On a personal level, I know Ron to be a remarkable leader, a 
dependable colleague, and a kind person with an infectious laugh. It is 
my sincere hope that his retirement from the office of County 
Commissioner will open the door to a future of rewarding experiences. 
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in thanking Ron 
Stewart for all of the good and important work he has done for Boulder 
County and Colorado.

                          ____________________