[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE RETIREMENT OF BUREAU OF RECLAMATION COMMISSIONER JOHN W. KEYS, III

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from 
California Mr. CALVERT and Mrs. NAPOLITANO to express congratulations, 
best wishes, and warm thanks to Commissioner John W. Keys, III as he 
retires from a distinguished nearly 40-year career with the Bureau of 
Reclamation on April 14th.
  Commissioner Keys began his career with Reclamation in 1964 as a 
civil and hydraulic engineer. Over the years, he worked his way up 
through the ranks, gathering valuable experience on numerous western 
water issues, including the Missouri River Basin, the Colorado River 
Basin, and the Columbia River Basin. In 1986 John began, what would 
eventually be a 12-year stint, as Regional Director for the Pacific 
Northwest Region of Reclamation. In this capacity he received the 
Interior Department's highest honor, The Distinguished Service Award in 
1995.
  John retired for the first time in 1998 to spend more time in Moab, 
Utah with his two loves, his wife Dell, and his airplanes. A certified 
commercial airline pilot, he owns a Cessna 182 and over the years has 
logged hundreds of hours of flight time. As if all of that wasn't 
enough, John also finds time to referee high school and college 
football games. Originally raised in Sheffield Alabama, he received a 
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of 
Technology and a Master's Degree from Brigham Young University.
  On July 17, 2001, John came out of retirement to be sworn in as the 
16th Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. Over the past five 
years, Commissioner Keys has traveled the country and worked tirelessly 
developing solutions to long-standing water conflicts. He was 
instrumental in the development of Interior's Water 2025 Initiative, 
the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, and 
resolving the 75-year dispute regarding California's share of Colorado 
River water. It has been a pleasure knowing John personally. 
Commissioner Keys has served his government and country admirably and 
will be missed. Although we are saddened by his departure, we wish him 
the best of luck in his retirement.