[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16717]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  A GREAT MONTANAN--ANTHONY J. PREITE

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of a 
great Montanan and American, Anthony J. Preite.
  Today, Mr. Preite, the director of the Denver Regional Office of the 
U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration is 
retiring. I have known Tony Preite for about 30 years. He was raised on 
Montana's ``High Line'' in Havre, MT. After a short time as a high 
school teacher and coach, he was lured by the Bear Paw Development 
Corporation, an EDA designated economic development district, to come 
to work for them in 1968. A year later, he became the executive 
director of that fledgling organization and thus began a career in 
economic development that is virtually unparalleled today. Under Tony's 
leadership, Bear Paw Development Corporation quickly developed a 
reputation as one of this Nation's premiere economic development 
organizations. Tony spearheaded literally hundreds of economic and 
community development projects and programs in that part of northern 
Montana. These projects resulted in hundreds of jobs, scores of 
infrastructure improvements, and other activities that have improved 
the lives of people in that area. Among his other accomplishments at 
Bear Paw, he was a founding member of the Montana Economic Developer's 
Association, served on the Montana Private Industry Council, and was 
chairman of the Governor's Economic Development Council.
  Tony's work at Bear Paw Development Corporation was so successful 
that I felt the need to bring the benefit of his expertise and 
enthusiasm to more Montanans. That is why, in 1993, I recommended his 
appointment by President Clinton as State Director of the Montana 
Farmers Home administration. Through a reorganization at the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Tony led a successful transformation of the 
Farmers Home Administration Agency to the current Rural Development 
agency. While at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tony served on 
many national committees within the rural Development Agency, helping 
to guide the agency during its formative years. The success of the 
Rural Development Agency and the value of its programs today are 
largely due to the efforts that Tony made during his tenure there.
  In December 1999, Tony accepted the position as Regional Director for 
the economic Development Administration. In this position, Tony has 
continued to impart his expertise and enthusiasm to a 10 State region. 
In his professional life, Tony has received accolades and awards too 
numerous to mention here. Instead, let me say that I have not met 
anyone as dedicated to public service as Tony Preite. Tony does not 
leave his work at the office. He lives and breathes ``public service'' 
every day, all day. It's immediately apparent to anyone who meets him 
that he always cares about the people he serves. His works has made an 
enormous difference for Montana and for all of us who work and play 
there.
  While Tony's retirement is a sad occasion to all of us who work with 
him, it is well deserved. I can take comfort that he will be returning 
to Montana and that he will find some other way to continue to serve 
his State. I wish Tony and his wife Betty all the best and I thank him 
for more than 35 years of public service. Good luck, Tony, and welcome 
back to Montana!

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