[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SENATOR DAVE WATTENBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2014

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my 
colleague, neighbor, and above all else my friend . . . Dave 
Wattenberg. Dave passed away on Monday, January 20, 2014 with his wife 
Mary Sharon by his side.
   Dave and I served together for 6 years in Colorado's State Senate.
   He was a cowboy whose wit was unmatched but he was a serious 
legislator and public servant. During the years of Dave's service he 
passed over 250 bills. These laws encompassed mining, banking, air 
quality standards for public lands, and even bringing horse racing back 
to the State of Colorado.
   He cared deeply about rural Colorado and his home and the people of 
northwest Colorado in Jackson County.
   He understood better than most the issues that effected ranchers and 
farmers and he brought those issues to light at the Statehouse. The 
Colorado Brand Association legislation sponsored by Dave was most 
important to his love of western heritage.
   Dave knew what it took to bring people together, to compromise and 
strike a deal to make good public policy for the people of Colorado.
   I was honored to be the beneficiary of Dave and Mary Sharon's help 
and support over the years.
   Whenever I talked to Dave he wanted to know how he could help me.
   I will always remember the events in his backyard and treasure the 
times we just sat and talked and joked about our time at the Statehouse 
as well as about family and politics.
   I know how much his wife, Mary Sharon will miss him. I and so many 
others will miss him too.

                          ____________________