[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BOB ABBEY

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions 
of Bob Abbey. Bob recently announced his retirement from 32 years of 
Government service--25 years with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
alone--a career that all Americans should thank him for.
  I represent a State where the Federal Government owns and controls 
almost 90 percent of our land. Although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Agency and the U.S. Forest Service oversees parts of Nevada, more than 
48 million acres of public lands in Nevada were controlled under Bob's 
leadership at the BLM for over 8 years--a large feat for anyone to 
undertake.
  As Nevada's BLM Director, Bob was influential in ensuring that 
Nevada's public lands are preserved for future generations by taking an 
active leadership role in restoration and conservation projects, such 
as the Great Basin Restoration Initiative. Despite the monumental tasks 
he was often presented with due to the diverse nature of Nevada's 
landscape, Bob was always able to understand the importance of long-
term goals so that our children's children can someday enjoy ``wild 
Nevada.''
  Thank you, Bob Abbey, for your hard work and dedication as Nevada's 
BLM Director. Your love for our State is evident and appreciated, and I 
join with all Nevadans in wishing you a happy retirement.

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