[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 24 (Monday, February 10, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S848-S849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING PAT MULROY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the hard work and 
dedicated service of my friend Pat Mulroy who is retiring from her 
position as general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and 
the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
  In Nevada, as well as much of the Southwest, water is an important 
and scarce resource; and since 1989, Pat has been an unparalleled 
leader for Nevada and the Nation in managing our precious water 
supplies. I applaud her tremendous abilities and vast understanding of 
our region's water demands, which helped her lead our State through 
unprecedented strains on our water resources.
  During her time at the water district and the water authority, Pat 
worked tirelessly to invent solutions to solve Nevada's complex water 
problems and has been instrumental in finding a balance between 
regional growth and water conservation. In a 6-year span, from 2002 to 
2008, the population in the Las Vegas area increased by more than 
400,000 people. Yet Pat's innovative conservation techniques have 
helped reduce Southern Nevada's water usage by a third.
  Over the years, I have watched Pat rise to challenge after challenge. 
Early on, she initiated negotiations with water purveyors in Arizona, 
then Utah, California, and Mexico. Pat has proven herself as a powerful 
and effective voice for Nevada when negotiating Colorado River system 
agreements, and her strong leadership helped her build unmatched 
partnerships with the States that share the Lower Colorado River Basin. 
Through Pat's persistence and proactive response to climate change and 
western water issues, she has truly helped shape Southern Nevada and 
the region into what it is today.
  Pat has received many acknowledgements and awards for her hard work, 
including the National Jewish Medical and Research Center's 
Humanitarian Award, the University and Community College System of 
Nevada Board of Regents' Distinguished Nevadan Award, and the Public 
Education Foundation's Education Hero Award.

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  Many know Pat as an expert on water issues, but I also know her as 
loving wife to her husband Robert, a devoted mother, and an active 
leader in her community. I think so highly of Pat and believe she has 
done such important work for our State and our country. She will surely 
be missed, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

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