[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 25, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN SCHMIDT

 Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I wish to recognize a dedicated 
public servant and proud West Virginian, John Schmidt, on the occasion 
of his retirement from the West Virginia Ecological Services Field 
Office, WVFO, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Elkins. 
I would especially like to recognize his leadership and contributions 
to fish and wildlife conservation. Innumerable West Virginians have 
benefited from his tireless efforts to improve wildlife conditions in 
our great State. John has been a vocal champion for creating a 
conservation legacy through collaboration and strong working 
partnerships with local stakeholders.
  John has been working as a biologist for 32 years. For 25 of those, 
he has served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with 
landowners and State and Federal agencies. Currently, he helps 
nongovernmental organizations as a project leader to help restore, 
enhance, and protect fish and wildlife throughout our state.
  Due to his leadership, contributions, and dedication to his 
community, John is being awarded the Superior Service Award by the U.S. 
Department of Interior. John has highlighted the need for providing 
restoring wildlife and recreational safety for West Virginians.
  Beyond the critical assistance that the WVFO provides to the wildlife 
in West Virginia, it also has a positive effect on the economy. John 
and his staff volunteered numerous hours on a project to remove three 
legacy dams, leading to savings of nearly $60,000 per year for the 
municipal water system and its ratepayers. This work helped connect 
over 47 miles of formerly segmented river and drastically improved the 
water quality in the West Fork River.
  Outside of his work for the WVFO, John has played an active role in 
giving back to his community. Some of his volunteer work has included 
time spent helping community leadership and conservation organizations 
such as the Tygart Valley Lions Club, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, 
and the Virginia Tech Monogram Club. He has also served as a swim coach 
and official for 30 years at all primary school levels. John has shown 
that he is dedicated to help all West Virginians in numerous efforts.
  I would like to thank John for all his insight and advice over the 
years. My office has relied upon him countless times for guidance and 
input. On a personal level, he was kind and helpful not only to me, but 
to my staff as well. They often spoke highly of how attentive, patient, 
and kind he was to everyone with whom he worked. I wish John the very 
best during his well-deserved retirement, and I hope he can enjoy more 
time with loved ones. West Virginia owes John our gratitude, and I 
thank him for all his excellent work over his decades-long 
career.

                          ____________________