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




                       TRIBUTE TO JUDY DesHARNAIS

  Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I want to recognize a Federal employee I 
have had the privilege of working with for the past 5 and a half years, 
Judy DesHarnais, deputy for programs and project management with the 
St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Quite simply 
put, she is one of the finest and most dedicated public servants I have 
had the opportunity to work with in my time in the Senate.
  Judy joined the district in 1985 as one of the first female 
engineers. In 2001, she was promoted to be the district's and the 
Corps' first female deputy district engineer for programs and project 
management. Throughout her time with the St. Paul District, Judy has 
stood out as an individual who could tackle complex, sensitive water 
resource issues. With top leadership in the district changing every 3 
years, Judy has been the one steady hand that has remained constant, 
guiding the district through preparation and response to historic 
floods to helping communities secure permanent flood protection.
  To community leaders in North Dakota, Judy is a trusted public 
servant and an important partner. She has been on the frontlines with 
us on so many flood fights, helping to coordinate emergency response 
measures to protect families and businesses. She has also led efforts 
to help communities get critical flood protection projects that have 
saved lives and prevented more than a billion dollars in property 
damage. No matter what the challenge, Judy has always been able to meet 
or exceed it, and the positive impact of her work can be seen across 
the State in Grand Forks, Wahpeton, Devils Lake, Minot, and so many 
other communities.
  Judy's contributions to the Corps of Engineers are numerous, but one 
that will always be recognized is her efforts to make the agency truly 
responsive to the needs of the communities it serves. After a 
distinguished career in public service that has spanned more than 30 
years, I want to thank Judy for her service to the Corps of Engineers 
and the State of North Dakota. She will be greatly missed, remembered 
for her professionalism, and honored for the positive change she 
brought to the Corps, and I wish her all the best in her retirement.

                          ____________________