[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF THOMAS ``TOM'' CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Tom 
Clark of Bakersfield, California, who passed away on July 23, 2011 at 
the age of 65. Tom was a great champion for the people of Kern County, 
California and a respected voice in the development of water policies. 
Most importantly, Tom will be remembered for being a loving family man 
and loyal friend.
  A second generation Californian, Tom was born on October 21, 1945 in 
Bakersfield, California. He graduated from North High School in 1963. 
Three years later, he married his wife Karen and they were blessed with 
two children, Krista and Jeff. Tom joined the United States Army where 
he served our Nation at Fort Irwin, California and received an 
honorable discharge in 1970 with a rank of Sergeant E-5.
  A loyal son of the Central Valley, Tom attended Bakersfield College 
and California State University, Bakersfield. Tom decided to further 
expand his horizons and attended the University of Pittsburgh on a full 
scholarship, where he earned a Master of Science in Water Supply--Water 
Pollution Control in 1974.
  Tom began his water career in 1974 with the Kern County Water Agency 
as a Water Resources Planner where he was responsible for contract 
administration and planning. His tenacity and passion led him to do 
work for Nickel Enterprises and La Hacienda, Inc., where he helped 
establish the Rio Bravo hydroelectric plant on the Kern River. In 1986, 
Tom returned to the Kern County Water Agency and served as Assistant 
Manager. In 1989, he was promoted to Assistant General Manager, and in 
1990, he was named General Manager.
  Tom's legacy will live on through a series of groundbreaking water 
deals that he helped broker. Before Tom stepped in as General Manager 
of the Kern County Water Agency, Kern County had perhaps the most 
unreliable water supply in the State. Through his hard work, Tom was 
able to secure a much more stable supply for the people of Kern County.
  In an industry where tensions run high, Tom's character was able to 
shine. He was well-liked by his colleagues--even the ones who did not 
agree with him. Tom was a pillar in the community and could be relied 
on to provide leadership and creative management skills to find 
solutions to some of the Valley's most pressing problems. Of note was 
the way in which he handled disputes over the Sacramento-San Joaquin 
Bay Delta. He was consistently an advocate for the Central Valley, 
while being able to understand and respect other points of view.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Thomas ``Tom'' Clark, a man with passion and persistence who 
accomplished great things for the people of California. He enriched the 
lives of all those who knew him and will forever be remembered.

                          ____________________