[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 189 (Monday, December 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MARTHA TWARKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 14, 2009

  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Martha Twarkins, a 
Legis Congressional Fellow from the Brookings Institute, a specialist 
with the United States Forest Service and, for the past year, a 
dedicated and invaluable member of my staff.
  Throughout the year, Ms. Twarkins has contributed her considerable 
expertise and ability to legislative responsibilities in my office, and 
I could not be more grateful for or appreciative of her hard work.
  Throughout her tenure in my office, Ms. Twarkins has worked 
diligently to mitigate the effects of the bark beetle epidemic on 
communities in Colorado and across the western United States. She has 
also provided oversight and direction to many of my legislative 
priorities concerning the Forest Service, including securing an 
additional $40 million to help with the emergency bark beetle crisis.
  She was an important resource on grazing and water rights, and a key 
advisor in the consideration and proposal of many new wilderness 
designations to forever protect our most beautiful public lands.
  Additionally, Ms. Twarkins was my key liaison to the House Select 
Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Ms. Twarkins 
advised me on the committee's work on issues from fighting climate 
change in developing countries to creating a roadmap to Copenhagen. I 
truly appreciate her guidance on this committee.
  Ms. Twarkins will always have a special place in my heart. My entire 
staff joins me in wishing her the best of luck as she resumes her 
position with the Forest Service, and with all her future endeavors.

                          ____________________