[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22959-22960]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CARLOS MARIN, UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
                     BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my profound sadness 
at the loss of Carlos Marin, the United States Commissioner of the 
International Boundary and Water Commission, IBWC. Commissioner Marin 
recently lost his life in a plane crash while touring flood damage on 
the Mexican border. His loss along with those of Mexican Commissioner 
Arturo Herrera-Solis, Rio Grande County of Governments Executive 
Director Jake Brisbin, and pilot Matt Juneau has taken from our 
community devoted public servants who worked for the well-being of 
people on both sides of the border.
  A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in 
engineering, the Commissioner began his career at the IBWC in 1979 
after working for the United States Bureau of Reclamation's in El Paso. 
He served in many engineering and management positions at the IBWC 
before rising to the rank of Deputy Commissioner and Principal 
Engineer, and in 2006 he was designated the Commissioner by President 
George W. Bush.
  Commissioner Carlos Marin was a model public servant who dedicated 
his life to the International Boundary and Water Commission and to 
serving the needs of border communities. I met regularly with Carlos 
and always appreciated his cheerful attitude and his thorough 
understanding of complex border issues. He was quietly resourceful and 
effective, lending his expertise and professionalism in restoring large 
stretches of the Rio Grande after the devastating floods 2 years ago. 
His service greatly benefited both the U.S. and Mexico sections of the 
International Boundary and Water Commission.
  Today, I also rise to wish to extend a special ``thank you'' to the 
employees of the International Water and Boundary Commission in both 
the United States and Mexico for their cooperation and their 
perseverance in working

[[Page 22960]]

on behalf of border residents threatened by recent floods. Even as they 
dealt with the loss of their leader, they tirelessly worked to respond 
to flooding and to continue their efforts to improve the quality of 
life of the millions of people who live and work along the United 
States-Mexico border.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the staff of the IBWC and with his 
wife Rosa Marin and the entire family of Commissioner Marin during this 
very difficult time.

                          ____________________