[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO RED ARNDT

 Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Red Arndt 
of Luverne, MN, for his many years of leadership to the Lewis & Clark 
Regional Water System and his commitment to providing safe water to 
rural America.
  He became the public utilities director of Luverne, MN, in 1989 and 
soon heard about a proposal to bring water from the Missouri River in 
South Dakota to the surrounding States. At that time, many people 
believed it would be too expensive and could not be done.
  However, Red believed it was possible and needed more research and 
more support. He recommended that Luverne become one of the first 
members of the organization that would become the Lewis and Clark 
Regional Water system. The city council and mayor approved, and the 
dream of delivering safe and reliable water to rural towns and farms 
took its first step forward.
  It became Red's mission to make that dream come true.
  He became one of the only two original directors from 1990 who are 
still on the project's board and proudly shoveled the first dirt when 
construction began in 2003.
  Over the years, he made hundreds of trips to county, city, and 
community meetings and to legislatures in several States. He also took 
over 60 trips to Washington, DC. He would not let the dream die.
  He has worked vigorously for the project. He was vice-chairman of the 
board beginning in 1994 until becoming the board chairman in 2006. He 
is still the chairman.
  Because Red refused to let the Lewis & Clark project die, 14 member 
communities and rural water projects are receiving water through over 
200 miles of pipeline for over 300,000 people across South Dakota, 
Minnesota, and Iowa. He has helped secure over $470 million in funding 
for Lewis & Clark.
  Red's incredible dedication was seen when he participated in the 
ribbon-cutting ceremony for the water treatment plant in August, 2012. 
It was only 2 weeks after Red had open-heart surgery. At the ceremony, 
he was honored with the Lewis & Clark Trailblazer Award, which is the 
organization's highest honor.
  In May 2016, Luverne was connected to Lewis & Clark, and Red was 
given the honor of taking the first drink of water from the new system 
that he had worked so hard to create. The meter building in Luverne was 
also named in his honor.
  When Red is thanked for all of his hard work, he always says it was 
not him, but a true team effort, but everyone involved will tell you 
that Red's determination and leadership was the bedrock that led to 
success.
  I am one of those 300,000 people who are grateful for his dedication, 
and I am proud to call him my friend.
  I commend Red Arndt for his many great contributions and wish him the 
best as he continues to make the most out of the life God has 
given.

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