[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 17 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ON THE RETIREMENT OF JOHN HOSKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2010

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that John 
Hoskins has recently retired as the Director of Missouri's Department 
of Conservation after a career in conservation that spans more than 
three decades. A steadfast steward of Missouri's beautiful natural 
resources, Mr. Hoskins has spent his life protecting our environment so 
that future generations may enjoy Missouri's God-given beauty.
  A lifelong Missourian, Mr. Hoskins grew up on a small Ozark farm 
where he learned the value of a clean environment and the special 
connection we enjoy with our natural surroundings. After graduating 
with a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 
1975, he went on to complete a Master of Public Administration degree 
at my alma mater, the University of Missouri.
  Throughout his tenure with the department, Mr. Hoskins has balanced 
competing priorities with a fixed budget. Under his leadership, the 
department has expanded conservation education facilities across the 
state and created new school programs to teach young Missourians the 
importance of caring for our precious natural resources.
  On a personal note, the magazine of the Department of Conservation, 
the Missouri Conservationist, has been a mainstay of my office for many 
years now. My fellow Missourians and I have long enjoyed the magazine's 
interesting articles and the beautiful pictures of Missouri's great 
outdoors.
  Madam Speaker, I trust my fellow members of the House will join me in 
recognizing John Hoskins, a man who has dedicated his life to the 
effective stewardship of Missouri's environment.

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