[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. MARK S. WATSON

                                 ______
                                 

                 HON. CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2023

  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Mark Watson 
and recognize a lifetime of service to his community.
  For over 50 years, Dr. Watson has been employed as City Manager 
serving the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee as well as six prior cities in 
the states of Texas, Montana, and Arizona. Mark has been serving in his 
present role since 2010. In 2017, Dr. Watson was recognized by the 
International City/County Management Association for his 45-year career 
in public service. The following year, Dr. Watson received the 
Community Partnership Award by the International City/County Management 
Association for his efforts in developing a public, private partnership 
for the redevelopment of the renowned American Museum of Science and 
Energy in Oak Ridge.
  Dr. Watson has continued the community's focus on economic 
diversification and has addressed infrastructure needs throughout Oak 
Ridge for the purpose of being the service provider for the city and 
the Department of Energy complex. Mark has worked in many communities 
identified as rural, suburban, agricultural, military, medical, 
scientific, and communities bordered internationally.
  Mark received his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and 
his Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Public Administration from the 
University of Kansas. His alma mater recently recognized him with a 
Lifetime Achievement Award in City Management. Dr. Watson frequently 
lectures at universities nationwide and most recently received the 
University of Tennessee MPPA Fellow in Professional Practice for his 
contributions to the education and professional development of MPPA 
students at UTK.
  It is with great pleasure that I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. 
Mark Watson for his years of service and wish him the very best in his 
retirement.

                          ____________________