[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E721-E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING MR. DONNIE R. WHEELER OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, 
PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLEAN WATER AGENCIES, FOR HIS 
                         SERVICE AND DEDICATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 2005

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Donnie R. 
Wheeler, General Manager of the Hampton Roads Sanitation District 
(HRSD) in Virginia Beach, VA. Mr. Wheeler is an exceptional leader and 
public steward dedicated to the Nation's and Virginia's environment and 
public health. It is a great pleasure to congratulate Mr. Wheeler on 
becoming the first President of the National Association of Clean Water 
Agencies (NACWA), formerly the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage 
Agencies (AMSA). No one could be more deserving of this leadership 
position.
  A graduate of Virginia Tech, Mr. Wheeler was employed by the Virginia 
State Water Control Board for seven years before joining HRSD in 1974. 
Mr. Wheeler's distinguished career with HRSD--a nationally recognized 
regional wastewater treatment utility, which serves 17 cities and 
counties covering 3,100 square miles of southeast Virginia--has spanned 
three decades. Under his management, HRSD has been honored with a host 
of awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is 
recognized as a state innovator for initiatives such as Virginia's 
first municipal water reuse project.
  On May 2, 2005, the members of NACWA elected Mr. Wheeler to be the 
president of the Association stemming from his exemplary commitment and 
dedication to the clean-water community.
  With Mr. Wheeler as President, NACWA will no doubt be the leading 
advocate for responsible national policies that advance clean

[[Page E722]]

water and a healthy environment. Simply stated, when I hear the term 
``environmentalist'', I think of public servants like Donnie first. 
This is because Donnie's contributions to his profession, his 
community, and to Virginia are numerous.
  Mr. Wheeler is a founder of the Virginia Association of Municipal 
Wastewater Agencies (VAMWA) and served as its president for six years. 
His career achievements have earned the respect of his colleagues at 
the local, state and national levels, resulting in awards from the 
Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) and Environment Virginia. 
Mr. Wheeler has also served as an Adjunct Associate Professor of 
Environmental Engineering at Old Dominion University.
  Again, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Donnie on 
becoming President of NACWA. I am certain the Association will continue 
to flourish under his able leadership.

                          ____________________