[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S6457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KIRK KLANCKE

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I recognize Kirk 
Klancke, an angler and true Coloradan known for his commitment to 
preserving our environment and making Colorado a better place to live, 
work and play.
  Kirk was recently selected as a finalist for Field and Stream 
Magazine's prestigious Heroes of Conservation Award. He was chosen 
based on his leadership and commitment to an effort he has led to 
preserve the Fraser River. This achievement goes to show how important 
his water conservation work in the West has been, and I want to take 
this opportunity to acknowledge his significant contributions to the 
State of Colorado.
  Both Kirk and I have spent time enjoying the natural beauty of our 
State while appreciating the value of preserving it for future 
generations. Kirk's longstanding dedication to these values has not 
only ensured that we can fully enjoy what Colorado has to offer, but 
that our kids will too. His work embodies what I have long held to be 
true--we don't inherit the Earth from our parents; we borrow it from 
our children and the generations that will follow.
  Currently serving as president of the Colorado River Headwaters 
Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Kirk leads a team improving watersheds, 
restoring trout populations and keeping our rivers and streams healthy. 
More specifically, Kirk has been instrumental in efforts to conserve 
waters of the Fraser River and ensure their use for generations to 
come. As one example of this work, he has spearheaded the removal of 
highway traction sand from the water, which impedes flows and the 
ability of trout to spawn.
  Colorado has reaped many benefits from his efforts as a capable 
conservationist that understands this delicate work and how to overcome 
the challenge of building consensus around water-use solutions. Among 
others, he sits on the Grand County Water Information Network Board and 
the Colorado River Basin Roundtable. Formerly serving on the Fraser 
Sanitation District Board of Directors, and now as manager of the 
Winter Park Ranch Water and Sanitation District, Kirk's contribution to 
one of Colorado's most precious resources--our water--continues to be 
vital to the health of the Fraser Valley community and our State's 
water supplies.
  I commend Kirk for his recognition as a Field and Stream Hero of 
Conservation, and I wish him well in his continued efforts to keep 
Colorado's natural resources healthy.

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