[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING ROBERT S. ``BOB'' LYNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 24, 2021

  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great man, a 
great lawyer, and a great Arizonan. I speak of Robert S. ``Bob'' Lynch.
  Mr. Lynch is a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, obtaining 
a Bachelor of Arts (1961) and Bachelor of Laws (1964) degrees and a 
Master of Laws degree with a specialization in natural resources law 
from George Washington University (1972). Well known as one of the most 
competent water lawyers in a state where water law governs prosperity, 
Bob represented clients before Congress and the state legislature. His 
practice also included representation of clients before the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission and the Arizona Corporation Commission and 
in state and federal courts. His litigation experience includes matters 
before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as cases before 9 of the 13 
federal appellate courts, and three state supreme courts.
  One area in which I was able to get to know Bob included his work as 
counsel and Treasurer to the Irrigation and Electrical Districts' 
Association of Arizona (IEDA). The irrigation districts form a key part 
of the water and agricultural infrastructure in Arizona. Bob guided 
this important group for years and guided them well.
  Professionally, Bob devoted most of his practice to water, 
electricity, and environmental law issues. Bob was appointed in June 
1996 by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to the seven-
member Federal Water Rights Task Force, a federal advisory committee, 
established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act, P.L. 
104-127. I also found Bob to be an invaluable advisor on energy and 
water issues. Bob was devoted to several organizations related to his 
specialty, including Serving on the Advisory Committee of the American 
Public Power Association and on the Board of Directors of its political 
action committee, PowerPAC (Chairman 2000-2007). He is a 2003 recipient 
of APPA's Kramer-Preston Personal Service Award. Bob also served on the 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation's Legal Advisory 
Committee, the Water and Property Rights (Chair) and Energy Issues 
Committees of the National Water Resources Association, as well as on 
task forces on the Endangered Species Act of both national 
associations. He served as President (1991-1996) and Chairman of the 
Board (1996-2000) of the Central Arizona Project Association. He 
belongs to the Arizona, Maricopa County, and Federal Bar Associations, 
and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.
  A gentleman of the highest order, Bob is also a scholar. His 
publications include ``Complying With NEPA: The Tortuous Path to an 
Adequate Environmental Impact Statement,'' 14 Arizona Law Review 717 
(1973) and ``The 1973 CEQ Guidelines: Cautious Updating of the 
Environmental Impact Statement Process,'' 11 California Western Law 
Review 297 (1975). One case where Bob's talents came through was the 
case, Davis v. Agua Sierra Resources, L.L.C., 220 Ariz. 108, 203 P. 506 
(2009) vacating 217 Ariz. 386, 174 P. 3d 298 (2008), where Bob 
successfully convinced the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn the Court 
of Appeals on a significant groundwater issue.
  Bob is a devoted husband to his wonderful wife, Anne, in addition to 
a giving father and grandfather. I can say that the joy of being a 
grandfather cannot be exceeded and I could see that joy in every 
conversation I had with Bob. I would like to take this moment out of 
day to let the world know that Arizona is blessed to have such a 
talented and good man like Bob Lynch.

                          ____________________