[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 141 (Thursday, October 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING MIKE SUTFIN'S LEADERSHIP IN FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

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                          HON. ADAM KINZINGER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2013

  Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mike 
Sutfin for his impressive leadership in floodplain management and his 
exemplary service to the City of Ottawa, Illinois and the State of 
Illinois.
   The City of Ottawa sits at the confluence of the Illinois and Fox 
Rivers which makes it one of the most flood prone communities in the 
State of Illinois. In 2008, the City of Ottawa was impacted by a 
devastating flood as part of the Hurricane Ike storm system. The flood 
damaged homes beyond repair, and also caused an Ottawa Elementary 
school to close for nearly two years.
   In an effort to reduce or avoid future disastrous floods, Mike 
Sutfin and the City of Ottawa developed a floodplain management plan 
that has since received state and national recognition. Mr. Sutfin has 
worked tirelessly to raise public awareness of the river valley 
floodplain through public meetings, maps, and an informative website. 
At his recommendation, the Ottawa City Council has incorporated better 
floodplain management regulatory standards into the City's ordinances. 
Additionally, he has helped reduce reoccurring flood loss through a 
major City of Ottawa buyout program and other mitigation initiatives.
   In recognition of his diligent work, Mr. Sutfin has received the 
2011 Floodplain Manager of the Year Award from the Illinois Association 
of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers (IAFSM). Additionally, he 
recently received the 2013 Community Rating System (CRS) Award for 
Excellence from the National Flood Insurance Program. Currently, the 
City of Ottawa is rated at Class 5 under the CRS, but with Mr. Sutfin's 
leadership the community will likely be upgraded to Class 2. This would 
make it one of the best rated communities in the State of Illinois and 
across the United States.
   Mr. Sutfin has accomplished a great deal as Ottawa's Floodplain 
Manager and the resulting benefits, such as increased public safety, 
peace of mind, and reduced damage to property, are priceless to his 
community. His expertise is clearly put to good use in the City of 
Ottawa as well as at the IAFSM where he serves on the Board of 
Directors and chairs the Floodplain Management Committee.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 16th District of Illinois, I wish to 
express our deepest thanks to Mike Sutfin for his leadership in 
floodplain management and his diligent work for the City of Ottawa.

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