[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DONALD WATTENBARGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2018

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Donald 
``Don'' Wattenbarger. This October, Don celebrated hi s 50th year of 
service as a member of Oildale Mutual Water Company' s Board of 
Directors, marking a significant milestone in a lifelong career of 
distinguished service to his community.
  Born in the City of Tulare in California's Central Valley, when he 
was five, Don's family moved to Bakersfield where he established roots 
that have lasted a lifetime. It was in Bakersfield where Don attended 
school, met and married his beloved wife, Connie, raised his four 
children, and made a name for himself in our local business community 
as a general contractor.
  However, Don's most lasting impression on the Kern County community 
has been his longstanding role on the Oildale Mutual Water Company 
(OMWC) Board of Directors. First elected in 1968, Don applied his 
personal character and integrity, as well as the skills and talents 
accrued over his career as a general contractor, to revolutionize the 
way OMWC conducted business, starting with constructing a new building 
for the company. When he was first elected to the Board of Directors, 
OMWC struggled to pay its employees, who helped service the company's 
5,000 customers. Today, OMWC employees receive lifetime company 
healthcare coverage and the company's customer base has more than 
doubled to 11,000 today. This is in no small part because of Don's 
leadership, and his constituency agrees: as an OMWC Board member, Don 
has successfully been re-elected every year for half of a century.
  Don Wattenbarger is a shining example of exemplary public service, 
and it has been an inspiration to watch his leadership at OMWC over his 
many years of service. I recall a time when it was suggested that OMWC 
raise its rates to solve a $4.5 million short fall. Don refused to pass 
the buck on to his customers and resolved to work with his colleagues 
on the Board to solve the problem in a manner that was fair to the 
community. For me, this story best exemplifies the type of man Don is: 
responsible, ethical, and determined. It is my hope that the career Don 
has built these past 50 years on the board serves as an example for 
those seeking to serve their community, and Judy and I wish him all the 
best as he continues his work for many more years to come.

                          ____________________