[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 9, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DWIGHT GARDNER

  Mr. BENNET. Madam President, I rise to honor the career of Dwight 
Gardner, who recently announced his retirement after providing decades 
of service to the State of Colorado. He most recently served on my 
staff as the regional director for southeast Colorado. Dwight has been 
a tireless advocate for the farmers, ranchers, and communities across 
our State. For decades, he has worked on behalf of communities 
throughout the region, from Pueblo to Raton Pass on the New Mexico 
border, and from the headwaters of the Arkansas River in Leadville, 
high in the Rockies, to the town of Holly in Prowers County.
  Early in his career, Dwight worked alongside his brother to support 
the farmers of the Arkansas Valley as a cropduster. Living through the 
era of ``buy and dry'' land purchasing to divert water to meet the 
needs of a growing Front Range, Dwight understood early the value of 
advocacy for rural Colorado.
  In 2000, he was elected to the first of two terms as a Crowley County 
Commissioner, and in that role, he was selected as chairman of the 
Southern Colorado Economic Development District to represent the 
interests of the 14 counties in the region. In 2007, my predecessor, 
Senator Ken Salazar, asked Dwight to join his office. I was fortunate 
that Dwight agreed to continue his service in my office in 2009.
  Dwight employs a formidable array of skills to serve the southeast 
region of Colorado effectively. He builds strong relationships with 
people; he possesses a deep knowledge and respect for the heritage of 
Colorado; and he provides a constant presence when the issues demand 
it. He has engaged in the battle for Federal funds to build the long-
promised Arkansas Valley conduit. He was witness to the important 
preservation of our national heritage at Camp Amache and Sand Creek. He 
helped shepherd the critical economic opportunity represented by the 
continuation of the Southwest Chief railroad line.
  From local food production to manufacturing, from the decommissioning 
of the Pueblo Chemical Depot to establishing good neighbor relations at 
Fort Carson's Pinon Canyon Maneuver site, Dwight has been a steady 
presence and road warrior as he has advanced the common good across 
hundreds of miles of beautiful southern Colorado.
  Going forward, I will miss Dwight's humility, his candor, and his 
keen understanding of what it means to be a son of rural America, 
attributes so needed as we work our way toward a better future. I am 
comforted to know that the next generation, represented by his 
grandsons Noah, Devlan, and Gatlan, have the benefit of his guidance. 
Colorado is grateful for his service.

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