[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING PEDERNALES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EMPLOYEES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize three 
power linemen from Pedernales Electric Cooperative in my district for 
their service and for putting into action cooperative principle #6--
cooperation among cooperatives--in Haiti. Marshall Verette, Andrew 
Ridge and Mark Moreno volunteered to go to Haiti last February to work 
with Haiti's first electric cooperative, the Cooperative Electrique de 
l'Arrondisement des Coteaux (CEAC). This work was part of a rural 
electrification project through the NRECA International Foundation with 
support from the United Nations Environmental Program and USAID.
   They spent two weeks in the town of Coteaux to help build a 
distribution system that will connect three towns. Upon completion, the 
diesel-solar hybrid electric system will provide safe, affordable and 
reliable power to 1600 consumers. Their contributions included 
upgrading lines, installing new lines and service drops, and training 
locally hired lineman in proper construction methods, pole climbing 
techniques, proper handline use, and important safety practices. 
Electricity is a critical element in improving the quality of life and 
in providing health care, education, access to clean water and economic 
opportunity. In Haiti, less than 15 percent of the population has 
regular access to electricity.
   In appreciation of all they have done, Mr. Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues join me in thanking them for their humanitarian efforts.

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