[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6299-S6300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO LENNIS ``RED'' ARNDT

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Red 
Arndt for his many years of service to the Lewis & Clark Regional Water 
System, as well as his lifetime commitment to bringing safe and 
reliable water to the rural corners of this country.
  Born Lennis Arndt, but nicknamed ``Red,'' he started working in 1989 
as the public utilities director in Luverne, MN. Shortly after 
beginning his new position, Red heard about a proposal to bring water 
from the Missouri River in South Dakota to the surrounding States. 
Although it was a major undertaking with more people doubting the idea 
than supporting it, Red saw the potential and recommended to the mayor 
and city council that Luverne join the project as one of the first 
members of the corporation that would later become the Lewis & Clark 
Regional Water System.

[[Page S6300]]

  Seeing Lewis & Clark develop from conception to construction was a 
labor of love for Red and a mission he fought hard to achieve. He has 
worked tirelessly on behalf of the project, serving as the vice 
chairman of the board beginning in 1994, until becoming the board 
chairman in 2006, a position he still holds. Under Red's leadership, 
over $470 million in funding was directed to Lewis & Clark, and over 
200 miles of pipeline have been laid in the ground that currently 
deliver much-needed water to 14 member communities and rural water 
projects, reaching over 300,000 people across South Dakota, Minnesota, 
and Iowa.
  In May 2016, Luverne, MN, was finally able to celebrate its 
connection to Lewis & Clark, with Red reveling in taking the first swig 
of water. It was at this ceremony that the meter building in Luverne 
was dedicated in Red's honor. Red will be the first to acknowledge that 
this endeavor, benefiting generations to come in the tristate area, was 
a team effort. There is no question Red's vision for the future, as 
well as his dedication and strong leadership have been a driving force 
through the years. That is why he was a recipient in 2012 of the Lewis 
& Clark Trailblazer Award, which is the organization's highest honor.
  I am grateful for his commitment to public service, his hard work on 
behalf of Lewis & Clark, and, more importantly, I am proud to call him 
a friend. I commend Red Arndt for his many great contributions to Lewis 
& Clark, the community of Luverne, and the entire State of Minnesota.
  Thank you.

                          ____________________