[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO KEVIN L. SHAFER, P.E., RECIPIENT OF THE MILWAUKEE WATER 
       COUNCIL'S THIRD ANNUAL ``WATER WARRIOR OF THE YEAR'' AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kevin Shafer, the 
long serving Executive Director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage 
District (MMSD) and a recent recipient of the Milwaukee Water Council's 
third annual ``Water Warrior of the Year Award,'' which is given to 
acknowledge those in the water industry who advance the importance of 
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) education.
  MMSD provides wastewater treatment reclamation and flood management, 
among other services, for about 1.1 million customers in 28 communities 
in the Greater Milwaukee Area
  The award acknowledges Kevin's dedication to growing MMSD's 
internship program which provides students with hands-on learning 
experience to inspire and educate students about future water-related 
careers in areas such as water quality protection, laboratory services, 
engineering, construction and sustainability. According to the CEO of 
the Water Council, ``When it comes to supporting and nurturing our next 
generation of water professionals we always know that Kevin will say an 
emphatic yes when we ask him to do more.''
  For over 25 years, MMSD has grown its internship program which now 
hires 25 students every summer. For example, during the summer of 2018, 
MMSD worked with the Water Council to place two African-American junior 
engineering students from Tuskegee University to work as interns with a 
goal of increasing the number of African-Americans pursuing water as a 
career. This is just one of several efforts by MMSD to invest in and 
develop a diverse water workforce in the Milwaukee area.
  Kevin Shafer has served as executive director of MMSD since 2002. 
Throughout his career at MMSD, Kevin has helped to make the utility a 
leader when it comes to the adoption and use of green infrastructure, 
has been instrumental in efforts to transform MMSD 's stormwater 
management system, and continues to foster innovative means of 
protecting the District's water supply.
  Prior to this position, Kevin worked in the private sector at an 
international engineering firm and spent six years with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers. Currently, Kevin is a Chair on both the United 
States' Water Alliance Board of Directors and the Water Council Board 
of Directors. Kevin was formerly President of the National Association 
of Clean Water Agencies.
  It is an honor to recognize Kevin Shafer for his dedication to the 
residents served by MMSD and in being an innovative water industry 
leader who is constantly trying to find new ways to deal with the 
challenges facing MMSD. I applaud the high level of professionalism and 
service that he has brought to MMSD and have no doubt he will continue 
to serve our community in the same distinguished manner as he has done 
throughout his career.

                          ____________________