[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 143 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S6193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING BILL DEIST

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I wish today to congratulate Bill 
Deist, of Winnemucca, NV, on his retirement. After serving the 
community of Humboldt County for over 15 years, Bill will be retiring 
in December 2014. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on his 
retirement after many years of hard work and dedication to Humboldt 
County and the Silver State.
  Bill stands as a shining example of someone who has devoted their 
life to the betterment of their community. He started serving the 
Silver State in 1997 when he moved to Carlin, NV. His experience of 
over 19 years as the city manager in John Day, OR, made him an 
extremely qualified candidate to become the Carlin city manager--a 
position that he held for 2 years. After his years as the city manager, 
Bill became the Humboldt County administrator, a position that he has 
held with integrity for the past 15 years.
  Upon becoming the Humboldt County administrator, Bill became a person 
known for getting things done. He always worked well with all city, 
county, and State governments throughout his career. His consistent 
priority was to create initiatives geared toward the betterment and 
improvement of the lives of the Humboldt County citizens. Among his 
many accomplishments, Bill has been credited with the creation of a 
strong county budget and upon his retirement, he will be leaving the 
county debt free and fiscally strong.
  While representing Humboldt County for 4 years in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and now as its U.S. Senator, I have had the distinct 
pleasure of working closely with Bill on important Northern Nevada 
priorities. Bill was an integral part of the Pine Forest review and 
assessment working group that worked for years to develop 
recommendations that were ultimately included in the Pine Forest Range 
Recreation Enhancement Act, legislation I have fought to enact as a 
member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This bill, 
which would greatly benefit Humboldt County once enacted, has near 
unanimous support among residents because of the indepth work done 
prior to introduction. In fact, it is frequently looked to in Congress 
as a national model for how public lands bills should be developed at 
the grassroots level. Public input and local support is critical to all 
my public lands work in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on 
behalf of the State, and Bill's input has been vital in nearly every 
effort I have been involved in benefiting the county.
  Bill exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and community 
service and should be proud of his long and meaningful career. I am 
grateful for his dedication and commitment to the people of Humboldt 
County and to the State of Nevada. Today, I ask that all of my 
colleagues join me in congratulating Bill on his retirement, and I 
offer my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make the 
Silver State an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many 
successful and fulfilling years to come.

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