[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MARTY PETERSON

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today I join with Idaho's senior Senator 
Mike Crapo to recognize and pay tribute to the exceptional dedication 
of Marty Peterson, who is retiring after 51 years of public service in 
our great State.
  For nearly 20 years, Marty has served as the special assistant to the 
president of the University of Idaho. He has served seven U of I 
presidents during that time, giving them valuable insight into the 
politics of the State as he oversaw the government affairs work of the 
university.
  Marty has an in-depth understanding of Idaho's government, having 
served as the budget director under Governors John Evans and Cecil 
Andrus. He also served on the staff of U.S. Senator Frank Church and 
was executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities. His counsel 
was always valuable and insightful.
  It is no wonder, when Idaho was going to celebrate its 100th birthday 
in 1990, he was asked to oversee the planning and implementation of the 
State's centennial celebration. Twenty years later, he was the cochair 
of the committee that planned the rededication of Idaho's newly 
restored capitol building. Marty could always be counted on to deliver 
quality results.
  His education and military service may have had something to do with 
his success. At the age of 17, as a junior in high school, he joined 
the Army National Guard. Marty served 8 years and was a staff sergeant 
when he was discharged.
  Marty is a graduate of Columbia Basin College, the University of 
Idaho, and Harvard University's Senior Managers in Government Program. 
But through the years, Marty never stopped learning. He adapted, he 
studied and continued to provide good counsel to those who sought out 
his advice.
  He consistently shares his time and expertise with community groups. 
Currently, he serves on the board of directors of the Foundation for 
Idaho History, North Idaho Chamber of Commerce, Idaho Humanities 
Council, and the James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy, 
as well as on the advisory board for the School of Journalism and Mass 
Media at the University of Idaho.
  In addition, he is the current president of the Historic Silver City 
Foundation and a past president of the City Club of Boise and the Idaho 
Hemingway House Foundation.
  As a well-known Hemingway scholar, Marty has lectured on Hemingway 
throughout the United States, Spain, and Cuba. He has also been very 
involved in the preservation of Ernest Hemingway's home in Ketchum, ID 
and in Cuba.
  Although Marty will be retiring from the working world at the end of 
2011, we know he will continue serving these and other groups 
throughout the State. His retirement will give him more time to spend 
with his wife Barb and their family and especially the grandchildren.
  When people ask us what makes Idaho such a great place, we could talk 
about the beautiful mountains, skiing, whitewater rafting, hunting and 
fishing, or a myriad of other things. But in reality, it is people such 
as Marty Peterson who work to make Idaho even better--that is why Idaho 
is so great.
  It is with our sincere thanks and well wishes that Senator Crapo and 
I recognize Marty Peterson for his many contributions to the State of 
Idaho and its people. We wish him a happy and productive retirement.

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