[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            BEST WISHES TO 
                            THOMAS J. AIKEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to express warm thanks, 
congratulations, and best wishes to Thomas J. Aiken, upon his 
retirement as the Central California Area Manager of the Bureau of 
Reclamation (Bureau). Tom has done an outstanding job in a difficult 
position, and he deserves the appreciation of both his colleagues and 
the general public.
  Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tom earned a Bachelor 
of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State 
University in 1964. At the same time, he was commissioned a Second 
Lieutenant in the Army. He served dutifully as a Unit Commander for the 
Military Advisory Corps in Vietnam.
  Following his military service, Tom began his three-decade career 
with the Bureau. In 1974, he joined the Mid-Pacific Region as the 
Administrative Officer for the Auburn Dam Construction Office. After 
the Auburn Dam project was stalled shortly thereafter, he became the 
region's Budget Officer for six years. Subsequently, from 1984 to early 
1993, Tom was the Assistant Regional Director for Administration, 
overseeing such functions as personnel, budget, finance, procurement, 
and computer processing.
  In 1993, Tom received his final and perhaps most challenging position 
with the Bureau--that of Manager of the Central California Area office. 
The area includes the Folsom and Nimbus Dams and the Folsom South Canal 
on the American River, New Melones Dam on the Stanislaus River, and 
Lake Berryessa located between Napa and Winters.
  Mr. Speaker, many of the issues relating to the facilities and 
watersheds in the Central California Area have been controversial, yet 
Tom has constantly sought to serve the public's best interest. As a 
veteran of California's renowned water wars, Tom has frequently had to 
be a facilitator amongst numerous competing interests. Despite the 
challenging and often unpleasant nature of this position, he has 
weathered it with patience and a continuing willingness to stand on 
principle.
  One such example that has been of special importance to me has been 
Tom's unwavering support of the Auburn Dam. For three decades, Tom has 
helped promote the need to build the Auburn Dam by championing its 
unmatched ability to provide flood protection, water supply, 
hydroelectric power, recreational opportunities, and environmental 
benefits. Tom rightly recognizes that the Auburn Dam is the only 
solution to the Sacramento region's water management needs, and he has 
been one of the few who has stood steadfast in that position despite 
the misguided opposition of those in the environmental community and 
from within the Bureau itself. Tom's commitment to the Auburn Dam is 
nothing less than a testament to his dedication to faithfully uphold 
the Bureau's mission of providing a reliable water supply to the West 
in the most efficient and effective way possible.
  Tom has received several honors for his good work, including the 
National Administrative Support Units' Annual Award for Executive 
Leadership in 1991, Who's Who in Government Service in 1990, and the 
Interior Department's Meritorious Service Award in 1984.
  As he retires from public service, Tom will be free to spend more 
time with his family, including his wife, Linda, his children, Joe and 
Me'Shay, his step-daughters, Jennifer and Lisa, and his five 
grandchildren. Also, he will have more time to pursue his oil painting 
and show his 1934 Ford hot rod. His family's gain is the public's loss.
  Mr. Speaker, one thing is certain--Tom Aiken's expertise, cooperative 
attitude, clear thinking, and toughness will certainly be missed in 
California's water community.

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