[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED EMPLOYEES OF THE WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY 
                               COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the 
dedicated employees of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission 
(WSSC) in safeguarding the citizens of Prince George's and Montgomery 
Counties in Maryland.
   In the early morning hours of July 1, 2010, a WSSC fiber optics 
monitoring system notified key WSSC personnel of impending danger 
involving a 96'' water main located near Tuckerman Lane in Montgomery 
County, Maryland. This highly pressurized water main is one of the main 
distribution conduits serving both Counties, but is of particular 
importance to the citizens of Prince George's County. WSSC mobilized 
immediately coordinating with Maryland state and county officials to 
isolate the problem, dewater the main, replace the damaged section, and 
restore water service. This all occurred without a loss of water 
pressure in the system that could have impacted adversely critical 
services like hospitals and firefighting capabilities. WSSC instituted 
and enforced mandatory water restrictions over the holiday weekend to 
ensure adequate pressure was maintained for public health and safety.
   WSSC is to be commended for their leadership and efforts throughout 
this incident. As Paul Hajek, Acting Director of Operations for the 
Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) wrote to WSSC's General 
Manager, ``I found WSSC to be highly professional, responsive and 
cautiously deliberate in how they handled the entire incident. From a 
State perspective, it was refreshing to work with a company that at 
every turn `had it under control'. Your company's actions turned what 
was a probable `emergency incident' into an `event'.''
   WSSC Commissioners and General Manager Jerry N. Johnson honored WSSC 
employees for their efforts in this incident during the July 21, 2010 
Commission meeting. In a communication from the General Manager to the 
employees honored, Mr. Johnson wrote:
  ``As you know, I believe that our employees are our most valuable 
asset. The members of the WSSC team demonstrate their commitment every 
day whether they are responding to a customer inquiry in the Call 
Center, inspecting a contractor's repair of a sewer lateral, turning 
valves to isolate a water main break or repairing a pump in the machine 
shop. I am proud to be a member of such a dedicated and capable 
workforce that so fully understands the critical nature of our work and 
how each of us plays an important role in fulfilling our obligation to 
provide high quality reliable services to our customers.
  ``Due, in part, to your hard work, WSSC averted a potentially 
catastrophic break in the 96-inch main. We know from past experience 
the destructive power of such a break. There is no doubt a sudden break 
at Tuckerman Lane and Gainsborough Road would have been devastating.
  ``We appreciate your personal sacrifices, including the physical 
demands of working long hours in near-record breaking heat, and the 
time that could have been spent with loved ones celebrating our 
Nation's Independence Day holiday. Your professionalism and work ethic 
personify the work ethic of the entire WSSC team. We are so very proud 
of our employees and the contractors who represented the Commission in 
all phases of the repair operation.
  ``On behalf of our customers and staff, we want to express our 
sincere gratitude for your excellent implementation of WSSC's customer 
service goals and expectations. You selflessly carried out our mission 
to provide safe and reliable water, life's most precious resource, in 
an ethically and financially responsible manner. We salute you for a 
job well done!''
   One noteworthy individual is WSSC Customer Care West Group Leader, 
Hak Kwon. Nicknamed by many during and after this event as ``The 
General,'' Mr. Kwan lead the WSSC Team working tirelessly and 
professionally to resolve the problem as quickly and as safely as 
possible.
   In crisis situations such as this early July 2010 incident, it is 
comforting to know that the employees of the WSSC can rise to the 
occasion, make the difficult decisions, and safeguard our citizens.
   Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join General Manager 
Jerry Johnson and me in commending the WSSC and its employees on a job 
well done.

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