[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1789-S1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    TRIBUTE TO HARRY C. LABONDE, JR.

 Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, today I recognize the 
distinguished career of Harry C. LaBonde, Jr., who, following decades 
of service in the State of Wyoming, is retiring this week.
  Harry began his career shortly after graduating from college with a 
civil engineering degree. His first job allowed him to specialize on 
issues related to water and wastewater treatment. In 1991, he became 
the public works director for the city of Riverton. He went on to serve 
in the same position for the city of Laramie, until he later became 
city manager. For the past 15 years, Harry worked for the State of 
Wyoming, first as Wyoming's Deputy State Engineer and, more recently, 
as director of the Wyoming Water Development Office.
  When at the State Engineer's office, Harry was involved with 
addressing a backlog of coal-bed methane reservoir permits in the 
Powder River Basin and transitioning the office from paper to 
electronic records, which required the modernization of millions of 
documents related to water and permits.

[[Page S1790]]

Wyoming was also facing severe water shortages due to an extended 
period of drought, requiring Harry to make the difficult decisions 
resulting from those shortages.
  As director, Harry was instrumental in carrying out key 
responsibilities of Wyoming's Water Development Office: developing 
Wyoming's water resources through sound water planning and use. Water 
is a precious resource in the west. It is key to maintaining an 
excellent quality of life, economic security, and growth. Through 
Harry's leadership, numerous water storage projects are underway in the 
State, which will help Wyoming realize its water storage potential for 
today and to serve communities tomorrow. Whether it is through the 
reconstruction of the Middle Piney Dam or the storage enhancement 
project at Fontenelle Reservoir, Harry understands the importance of 
securing water resources in the State for future Wyoming generations.
  In addition to reservoir planning and construction, Harry oversaw the 
development of river basin plans, weather modification projects, 
addressing watershed threats from wildfires, and carrying out the Small 
Water Project Program. Water affects everyone. Making sure Wyoming's 
water resources are used efficiently and responsibly for the benefit of 
the people of Wyoming is a responsibility Harry takes very seriously.
  Harry's expertise and the strong relationships he has fostered 
throughout the basins we share with neighboring States is invaluable. 
He has contributed to a number of regional water supply efforts, 
including the Colorado River Basin States Salinity Control Program. He 
also serves as Wyoming's representative on the Platte River Recovery 
Implementation Program, a cooperative agreement with Nebraska, 
Colorado, and the Federal Government, to maintain water usage and 
development by implementing conservation practices for certain 
endangered and threatened fish and birds.
  We are fortunate Harry chose early in his professional life to use 
his skills and talents to focus on water. He has dedicated his career 
to being a water advocate for the people of Wyoming and to finding 
long-term solutions to securing Wyoming's water needs. We are all 
better for his efforts.
  I invite all members of the Senate to join me in congratulating Harry 
on his retirement, and wishing both him and his family much happiness 
and success in the future.

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