[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MARK KOZAK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2018

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mark Kozak 
from Kodiak, Alaska. After 30 years of work with the City of Kodiak 
Public Works Department, Mark is retiring on May 18, 2018.
   Mark was born and raised in Kodiak. Following high school, he 
learned to fly and for ten years worked as a commercial bush pilot in 
Kodiak, operating single and twin-engine aircraft. He was well known 
for flying the Grumman Goose and transporting fishermen, hunters and 
villagers to all points on the island.
   In 1988, Mark began working for the City of Kodiak as a Utility 
Worker in the Public Works Department. He was quickly promoted to 
Equipment Operator and from there became the Maintenance Supervisor. In 
2002, Mark was asked to serve as the Public Works Director.
   The 27 employees of the Public Works Department have many 
responsibilities that directly impact the health and safety of the 
community. These include street, building and equipment maintenance and 
repair, operation and maintenance of the municipal airport and float-
plane facilities, building permits and inspections, a water treatment 
and distribution system designed for up to ten million gallons per day, 
wastewater treatment and collection, a United States Council Certified 
compost facility, and nine regulated dams with a total holding capacity 
of 1.0 billion gallons of water. Kodiak is one of the top fishing ports 
in the nation and it is vital that the water system be reliable and of 
sufficient quantity for processing the millions of pounds of seafood 
each year.
   Throughout his career, Mark has held to the highest standards, and 
his dedication and commitment to the taxpayers of Kodiak is well known. 
With his leadership the Public Works Department has accomplished 
numerous achievements for the community. Major projects have included 
extensive water, sewer and road renovation and replacement, an 
ultraviolet plant for the water treatment facility, the planning and 
building of a compost facility, and a new pump house at the Monashka 
Dam.
   Following retirement, Mark and his wife, Linda, plan to remain in 
Kodiak where they enjoy boating, sport fishing, hiking, and 
photography.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mark Kozak for his many years 
of selfless service for the people of his community and for the City of 
Kodiak. Please join me in congratulating Mark on his retirement and to 
wish him our best.

                          ____________________