[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO JEFFREY McCRACKEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jeff 
McCracken's nearly 20 years of service as Director of Public Affairs 
for the Bureau of Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region. Mr. McCracken 
leaves a lasting legacy in Sacramento and his leadership and expertise 
will be deeply missed. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring 
one of Sacramento's finest public servants.
  After earning his bachelor's degree from California State University 
Fresno, Mr. McCracken spent more then 20 years in the broadcasting 
industry as a reporter, anchor and broadcast news consultant in 
numerous television markets across the county. He began his career with 
the Bureau of Reclamation in 1989 when he was appointed Director of 
Public Affairs and has spent nearly the last two decades communicating 
the complex water needs of the Mid-Pacific Region to the public. As 
Director of Public Affairs he is responsible not only for the Mid-
Pacific Region's public affairs, but he also manages their outreach, 
education projects and internal employee information activities. His 
dedication to the Bureau of Reclamation is demonstrated through his 
work with the local community, the media, Members of Congress, Federal 
and State agency representatives, stakeholders and foreign dignitaries 
and has enabled the Bureau to build and maintain credibility in the 
water community.
  During his tenure, the Mid-Pacific Region has successfully handled a 
prolonged drought in California, Nevada and Oregon, a toxic spill in 
the Sacramento River and the organization of the Bay-Delta Accord. In 
addition, the Bureau coordinated an extensive public involvement 
program to implement the 1992 Central Valley Project Improvement Act 
and provided essential leadership during the historic floods of 1997, 
the closure of Folsom Dam Road in 2003, the Prospect Island levee 
breach, repair, and resulting fish crisis in 2007, and the Truckee 
Canal breach and repair in 2008.
  In 2005, Mr. McCracken was awarded a citation for superior service by 
Commissioner John Keys for his leadership during the Klamath Basis 
water and fish mortality crisis, the prolonged regional drought and the 
Folsom Dam spillway gate break. His guidance and accomplishments in 
media relations, public involvement and employee communications for the 
Bureau of Reclamation during these times made him truly deserving of 
this award. Mr. McCracken was again recognized in April of this year by 
Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne with a citation for 
meritorious service. For nearly two decades he has fostered respectful 
working relationships between the Region and representatives of the 
Federal, State and local governments, Indian Tribal governments, the 
media and the public. This citation justly recognized his commendable 
service and dedication to the Mid-Pacific Region and the Bureau of 
Reclamation as a whole.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Jeff McCracken's 
distinguished commitment to Sacramento and our water needs. Mr. 
McCracken's outstanding leadership and dedication to the Bureau of 
Reclamation, established credibility for the Bureau and has ensured 
better water resource management for Sacramento and the entire Mid-
Pacific Region. We all are thankful for his efforts. As Mr. McCracken's 
wife Susan, colleagues, family and friends gather to honor his service, 
I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing her continued good 
fortune in his future endeavors.




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