[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TRUDY HEALY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor Trudy Healy; a woman of remarkable talents who has an 
unwavering commitment to preserving water quality in our great State of 
New Mexico.
  From an early age, Trudy proved to be curious and passionate about 
her surroundings She was gifted with a virtuous heart, and immersed 
herself in every aspect of her community in Taos, New Mexico. Her 
mother, Mercedes Gonzales Valerio, was her trusted friend and confidant 
whom Trudy loved dearly. Trudy would tell others that her creativity 
stemmed from her mother, who surrounded herself with artists, 
instilling in her daughter a deep appreciation for art.
  Her father was Juan I. Valerio, a two-term County Commissioner for 
Taos, and a well-respected man who was revered for his generosity and 
service to his community. He also proudly served as the ``acequia 
mayordomo'' or ``ditch boss'' and he taught his daughter how to farm, 
irrigate, appreciate water, and recognize the vitality it brings to a 
community. Trudy would carry these values with her throughout her 
entire life.
  Trudy and her husband, Edmund Healy, would go on to found the Healy 
Foundation to focus on land and water issues and projects that promote 
healthy New Mexico communities. Through their foundation Trudy and 
Edmund have built partnerships with local, state and federal entities 
to generate funding for land and water projects in New Mexico and 
invested in courses at New Mexico State University for regulators and 
inspectors. They also contributed to the film ``The Water Haulers,'' 
spurring swift approval of the Navajo-Gallup water project in Congress. 
The project helped make clean water available to more than 240,000 
residents.
  In 2001, Governor Bill Richardson appointed Trudy to the Water Trust 
Board and was elected its Treasurer. Her involvement had an immediate 
effect. As the proud founder of the Acequia Project Fund for the Water 
Trust Fund, Trudy championed a holistic approach to water issues and 
fought to ensure the prosperity of underrepresented rural communities 
in New Mexico. Trudy understands the connection between water and 
people; what it means for survival, economic livelihood, and cultural 
heritage.
  It is astonishing to think of all that Trudy has accomplished and 
fulfilled in her life: a horseback rider, successful art gallery owner 
and connoisseur, folk singer, guitar player, film writer, avid rancher, 
passionate water advocate, loving mother and proud wife to name a few. 
Her zest for life is endless and if you talked to anyone who knows her, 
they would tell you that water is her true passion. I look forward to 
continuing to work with Trudy on the important water issues facing our 
state and country and would like to take this moment to recognize all 
that she has done for New Mexico.

                          ____________________