[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 130 (Wednesday, August 1, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5578-S5579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DEL McOMIE

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of Del 
McOmie, mayor of Lander, WY, and one of our State's true leaders.
  Born and raised in Lander, Del has worked continually to make the 
community and Wyoming better for future generations.
  Del married his sweetheart, Patty, in 1975. They welcomed five 
children, Delbert, Jr., Alan, Kathleen, Pamela, and Craig. The McOmie 
family has since grown to include 14 grandchildren and 20 great-
grandchildren. In his everyday words and deeds, Del has passed on his 
tradition of excellence and love of Wyoming. Governor Matt Mead 
appointed Delbert as the director of the state construction department. 
Alan gives back to their community, serving as an officer in the Lander 
Police Department. Working for the Wyoming Department of Environmental 
Quality, Craig embodies his father's passion for the beauty of our 
State.
  Del has committed his life to serving those around him. When he 
finishes his current term as mayor of Lander, he will have served as an 
elected official

[[Page S5579]]

for 30 years, along with providing leadership and expertise to the 
Wyoming Department of Transportation for over 39 years. Alongside this 
public service, Del has been a small business owner and a champion for 
local economic development.
  As the cofounder of LEADER Corp., a private economic development 
group committed to expanding the economic base of Lander, Del helps 
transform his vision of a prosperous community into reality. Known for 
his dedication and determination, Del brings all the players to the 
table and works to make things happen. Del is a problem-solver, and 
Lander and the State of Wyoming are better for it.
  Del's neighbors and friends know they can rely on him to get the job 
done. They have elected him as mayor four times and sent him to 
represent their interests in the State legislature seven times. He has 
rewarded their faith in him by finding the funds necessary to build the 
new Lander Valley High School.
  Del and I served in the Wyoming State Legislature together for 5 
years. His opinions and advice carried great weight in both chambers 
and across the aisle. Del was known for his integrity and devotion to 
Wyoming. He served on the education committee when we passed the 
Hathaway Scholarship that ensures every Wyoming High School graduate 
has access to higher education. Together, we cosponsored legislation to 
fund critical emergency telephone services in our rural State. Del's 
legacy will always be working to meet the needs of our State and her 
people.
  In Wyoming, we have adopted the Code of the West as our guiding 
ethical principles. No one embodies these commitments more than Del 
McOmie. Throughout his impressive career of service, Del has always 
``done what has to be done'' and embraced that ``when you make a 
promise, [you must] keep it.'' Even before Wyoming had an official code 
of ethics, Del has always been one to ``ride for the brand''.
  It is with great honor that I recognize this exceptional member of 
our Wyoming community. My wife, Bobbi, joins me in extending our 
appreciations to Del McOmie for his service.

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