[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 28, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H8875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING RICHARD MacRAVEY OF COLORADO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Salazar) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my mentor and close 
friend, Mr. Richard D. ``Dick'' MacRavey. After 26 years of service as 
the Secretary and Executive Director of the Colorado Water Congress, 
Dick is announcing his retirement. Throughout his tenure, Dick helped 
enact a multitude of important legislation to protect water resources 
throughout Colorado. As Executive Director, Dick saw 350 of the 419 
Colorado Water Congress supported bills enacted into law. In addition, 
only one of the 123 bills opposed by the Colorado Water Congress became 
law. This impressive record demonstrates Dick's effective leadership 
and dedication to protecting Colorado's water.
  During my time in the Colorado State Legislature, Dick took me under 
his wing and taught me a great deal about water legislation. As a 
farmer and lifelong resident of the San Luis Valley, I understand the 
importance of water. This precious resource is our lifeblood and 
essential to maintaining our way of life. Dick understood the needs of 
everyone--from farmers like me in rural Colorado to those in towns like 
Aspen, Carbondale, and Telluride and cities like Denver, Aurora, and 
Colorado Springs. With his guidance, I helped craft a piece of 
legislation, ``The Basin of Origin Protection,'' which I am very proud 
of. Although this bill was never enacted into law, the lessons that 
Dick taught me during this experience were invaluable. I will always 
consider Dick a great mentor and a friend.
  Dick's dedication to protecting water and serving Colorado started 
long before his involvement with the Colorado Water Congress. He served 
3 years as Executive Director to the Larimer-Weld Council of 
Governments and 7 years as Executive Director of the Colorado Municipal 
League. While at Larimer-Weld COG, Dick developed and guided the early 
stages of the Larimer-Weld ``208'' Water Quality Management Planning 
effort. In 1970, Dick served as chairman of the Colorado Good 
Government Committee for the promotion of the State constitutional 
amendments 1, Governors Cabinet; 2, State Civil Service Reorganization; 
and 3, Local Government Modernization. All three amendments were 
approved overwhelmingly by the people of Colorado. In addition, Dick 
was involved in six other statewide initiative campaigns and was 
successful in all six campaigns.
  In 1988, Dick was appointed to Colorado Vision 2000, and in 1989, he 
was appointed to become part of the 16-member Legislative Council 
Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning for State Government. From 1969 to 
1971, Dick served on the National League of Cities Board of Directors. 
He also served as a member of the Boards for the Colorado Water PAC and 
the Colorado Water Education Foundation. Dick is a member of the 
American Society of Association Executives, Colorado Society of 
Association Executives, American Water Works Association, and 
International City Management Association. Dick is one of Colorado's 
great leaders. He has been involved in many aspects of Colorado life 
and has worked tirelessly to protect our current and future 
generations.
  However, it is his tireless fight for water that has been most 
inspiring to me. In 1999, Dick was named the 19th recipient of the 
Wayne N. Aspinall Water Leader of the Year award. This is a prestigious 
award in Colorado named after a former Congressman of the district I 
currently represent. Mr. Aspinall was a water champion for Colorado and 
instrumental in helping to ensure that Colorado residents have access 
to a safe water supply.
  After I was elected to the U.S. House in 2004, Dick gave me a 
biography entitled ``Wayne Aspinall: Mr. Chairman.'' On the inside 
cover he wrote me an inspirational and encouraging message. It read:

       To John Salazar. This book is about one of Colorado's great 
     Members of Congress. You will some day also rank as one of 
     the great members from Colorado. I have no doubts about your 
     future achievement. Your friend, Dick MacRavey. January 27, 
     2005.

  Madam Speaker, this note touched my heart, and I keep this book with 
me in my congressional office. While serving in Congress, I will 
continue to fight for Colorado's water, and I hope that my efforts will 
make Dick MacRavey proud.
  I wish Dick well in his retirement, and I want him to know he will 
always have a special place in my heart.

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