[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING DAVID GETCHES

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I recognize the important 
contributions of David Getches, who died earlier this week. He leaves 
behind not only a family to whom he was intensely devoted, but also an 
impressive legacy of public service, scholarship, mentorship, and 
friendship.
  Having served as both chairman and ranking member of the Energy and 
Natural Resources Committee, I am particularly appreciative of his 
remarkable scholarship and public service in the areas of natural 
resources law and policy. He was a prolific writer on water, public 
land, and Indian law and policy, and there are no doubt many dog-eared 
copies of his books and articles on those subjects in our committee 
files. He was called on to testify as an expert in both the Senate and 
the House of Representatives, and his insight and creativity on those 
issues have had a positive impact on the legislation and oversight that 
are the responsibility of our committee and others.
  While his resume of government service is notable--including special 
consultant to Department of the Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and 
director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources--it does not 
reflect the countless hours of knowledge and wisdom that David freely 
shared with government officials and staff who regularly sought his 
counsel.
  David was a dedicated teacher of many thousands of students at the 
University of Colorado School of Law and a mentor to two of our 
committee staff who have worked on water and public lands issues. He 
was returning to the faculty this summer after serving 8 years as dean 
of the School of Law.
  David Getches distinguished himself throughout his career. But what I 
understand set him apart, was that, at the same time, he distinguished 
himself as a father to his three children Liza, Catie, and Matthew and 
as a husband to his wife Ann. They have our deep sympathy as they 
endure this loss. He is greatly missed.

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