[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 99 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5665-S5666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO JULIUS CIACCIA

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Mr. Julius 
Ciaccia, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer 
District on his election as president of the National Association of 
Clean Water Agencies, NACWA.
  Mr. Ciaccia is an accomplished leader and committed environmental 
steward who has played a prominent role in the water industry, 
exemplifying what it means to be a public servant. He is ideally suited 
to serve as president of one of the Nation's leading proponents of 
responsible policies that advance clean water. Mr. Ciaccia has served 
the people of the Cleveland area for decades, and in this new role, 
will continue to ensure that the Nation's clean water agencies continue 
to protect public health and improve the environment.
  Mr. Ciaccia began his career in public utilities in 1977 when he was 
appointed as assistant director of the Public Utilities Department for 
the city of Cleveland. In 1979, he joined the leadership of the city's 
Division of Water where he served as both deputy commissioner and 
commissioner until 2004.
  During some 30 years with the city of Cleveland's Division of Water, 
Mr. Ciaccia oversaw the management of more than $1 billion worth of 
capital improvement projects and maintained the agency's favorable 
financial position. He was appointed director of the city's Department 
of Public Utilities in 2004 exercising oversight of the water, sewer 
collection, and public power systems, with a focus on developing 
comprehensive financial plans and supporting revenue enhancement 
initiatives.
  Mr. Ciaccia began his current role at the Northeast Ohio Regional 
Sewer District, NEORSD, in 2007. In his current role at the district, 
he oversees all aspects of managing one of the Nation's largest 
wastewater management utilities. Under his leadership, the district has 
received two awards from the Commission on Economic Inclusion, 
including a 2009 award for Supplier Diversity, which highlights the 
success of

[[Page S5666]]

his initiative to craft and implement a supplier inclusion program. In 
2012, the NEORSD was awarded by the Commission for Senior Management 
Inclusion, recognizing the diversity of senior staff.
  As the district's executive director, Mr. Ciaccia was responsible for 
confirming their consent decree for a long-term control plan to 
significantly reduce overflows from combined sewers, as well as the 
successful development and implementation of a new Regional Stormwater 
Management Program. Among Mr. Ciaccia's many accomplishments as 
executive director of NEORSD is the transformation of the district's 
culture to one of transparency and exceptional financial management.
  As a member of NACWA's board of directors, Mr. Ciaccia has served as 
the secretary, treasurer, and vice president. Mr. Ciaccia has shared 
his time, passion, energy and ideas to carry out the objectives of the 
Clean Water Act.
  It is my pleasure to congratulate Julius Ciaccia on becoming 
president of NACWA. I am certain his actions will ensure continued 
water quality progress for the Cleveland area, the State of Ohio and 
the Nation.

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