[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING JOHN CHATBURN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2023

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Chatburn. John 
is retiring after nearly 30 years of public service in Idaho, but his 
love of our great state didn't start there. He grew up on a family 
ranch in Albion and was well known on the local rodeo circuit as a 
young man. He started his political career in 1995 as the Energy and 
Natural Resource Policy Advisor for Governor Phil Batt. John wore many 
hats, including Deputy Administrator for the Idaho Department of 
Agriculture.
  A large part of his career was spent working for Governor C.L. 
`Butch' Otter. He served as his Administrator for the Office of Energy 
and Mineral Resources. Some of his responsibilities in this capacity 
included being a member of the U.S. Department of Energy/State Energy 
Advisory Board, chairman of the Western Interstate Energy Board and co-
chairman on the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation. There 
were many other energy related boards and commissions that he served on 
and represented Idaho's interests.
  He also worked for Governor Brad Little as Administrator of the 
Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and was appointed by him to 
serve on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
  I have known John for a very long time, but I had the opportunity to 
work closely with him on the Gateway West Project. John represented the 
state's interests in the plan to create a much-needed power 
transmission line that spanned a vast section of the state. In the end, 
we were successful in creating a diverse collaboration between 
stakeholders that included the World Center for Birds of Prey, Idaho 
Power Company, the Bureau of Land Management and the citizens of 
Idaho--something we can all be proud of.
  I am not sure what John is going to do next, but it better include 
pampering his incredible wife Linda who's put up with him for over 40 
years. I thank Mr. Chatburn for his service.

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