[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ALAN HAMEL

 Mr. UDALL of COLORADO. Mr. President, today I wish to pay 
tribute to a true leader of Colorado's water community, Mr. Alan Hamel. 
Alan retired from his position on the Board of Water Works of Pueblo, 
CO, at the end of August after more than 50 years of service for the 
board.
  Alan began his career as a student helper in 1960 working summers for 
the board. He returned after graduating from Colorado State University 
in Pueblo to become a full-time pump station operator. Over the next 20 
years, Alan worked his way up the ladder through various management 
positions until he was appointed executive director in 1982.
  Under Alan's direction, Pueblo has built one of the most modern water 
infrastructure systems in the Nation. Because of his leadership, the 
Pueblo area's future water supplies are sufficient and secure, which is 
truly impressive given all of the water challenges facing Colorado. The 
board has also benefited from extraordinary continuity during Alan's 
29-year tenure at the helm, which I am confident will continue under 
new executive director Terry Book's guidance.
  Alan has also been a water leader statewide. He is a member of the 
Colorado Water Conservation Board, CWCB, Colorado Water Congress, CWC, 
and Statewide Water Supply Initiative. He has also held leadership 
positions on the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and 
Arkansas Basin Roundtable among many others. He also received CWC's top 
award in 2010, the prestigious Wayne Aspinall Water Leader of the Year 
Award, for his lifetime of achievement.
  On a more personal level, Alan has earned the respect and admiration 
of the Colorado water community because he is a true public servant in 
the best sense of the word. He is unflappable, a fountain of knowledge 
about water, and always seeks common ground with opposing views while 
fighting fiercely and fairly for the needs of his community. He cares 
deeply about Pueblo and Colorado and has served both remarkably.
  And above all, Alan is a family man who knows none of this could be 
possible without the support of his wife Mary Kay and children. While 
he lives and breathes water, his family comes first and foremost.
  As with most water warriors, Alan's retirement will only be partial. 
He will continue his work on CWCB and the Arkansas Basin Roundtable, 
and I am sure many of us will still call upon his wisdom and experience 
often. I suppose after more than 50 years of service he has earned the 
right to switch to part-time work.
  I wish him well in his next endeavors and congratulate him on an 
impressive career.

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