[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ROBERT LUCAS BEERS TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Lucas Beers 
of Mancos, Colorado. Mr. Beers led a particularly vibrant life in 
southern Colorado as a prominent businessman, volunteer and veteran. 
His years of service in both private and public offices contributed to 
that prominence.
  Mr. Beers was born in raised in Mancos, Colorado. After graduating 
from high school, he worked briefly in the Civilian Conservation Corps 
before attending Fort Lewis College. He later joined the executive 
board of the college and was one of the members responsible for its 
move to Durango.
  In 1944, during the height of World War II, Mr. Beers joined the Army 
as a cryptologist. His work decoding intercepted messages was a major 
contribution to our victory in China, Burma and India. Before 
enlisting, he was already an accomplished pilot, serving in the Civil 
Air Patrol, and was a civil defense volunteer for many years.
  After the war, Mr. Beers returned to Durango to begin his various 
business ventures and public service. He worked for a number of years 
in the oil and gas industry and was one of the founders of Basin 
Petroleum, a company that owned and operated several service stations 
in Colorado. He also served on the Durango City Council and was elected 
mayor of the city for a term, where he supported a number of 
initiatives including paving the city's streets.
  Mr. Beers also volunteered on several boards during his career. Most 
notably he sat for two terms on the State Agriculture Board, Mercy 
Hospital and the Chamber of Commerce. His love of skiing was also a 
driving force behind the formation of the original San Juan Development 
Corp., which helped create Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Robert Beers today. The 
community he spent a lifetime working for owes him a great deal. There 
is no doubt his legacy will continue to impact Colorado.

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