[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14566-14567]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING JUAN GUZMAN

 Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I congratulate Juan Guzman on his 
retirement from his career as Carson City's open space manager. As a 
longtime resident of Carson City, I have had the pleasure of getting to 
know and work with Juan and have seen the impact his contributions have 
made within the Carson community. It gives me great pleasure to 
congratulate him on his retirement after 14 years of hard work and 
dedication to the Silver State.
  Juan, a native of Puerto Rico, earned his degree in geography from 
the University of Puerto Rico and then went on to complete his graduate 
studies in the geography department with an emphasis on urban studies 
at the University of California. Upon the completion of his studies, 
Juan began his career as a planner in California. After a trip to the 
Sierra Nevadas, Juan decided to make the move to Nevada, where he 
became an associate planner in the community development department. He 
worked in Douglas County for 5 years before eventually settling in 
Carson City, where he began work in a similar capacity. His diligent 
work and commitment to the betterment of the Carson community did not 
go without public recognition, and when the position of open space 
manager was created in 2000, he transitioned from the community 
development's planning division to open space within the parks and 
recreation department.
  During his tenure, Juan is credited with opening up 14 areas for 
recreational purposes and for natural preservation as well as acquiring 
several land transfers from the Federal government. I had the privilege 
of working closely with Juan on the Carson City Community Vital Act, 
public lands legislation I introduced while serving in the U.S. House 
of Representatives that enhanced open space opportunities, strengthened 
flood control

[[Page 14567]]

measures, and ensured easy public access to Bureau of Land Management 
and Forest Service lands surrounding Carson City. That bill, which 
became law in 2009, still serves as an example in Congress on how an 
intensive collaborative process between the public and officials at the 
local and Federal levels can yield positive results for an entire 
region. Without Juan, this legislation would have never come together, 
let alone become law.
  While we will all miss Juan, his impact in the Carson City community 
will live on. He exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and 
community service and should be proud of his long and meaningful 
career. Today, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Juan on his retirement, and I offer my deepest 
appreciation for all that Juan has done to make the great State of 
Nevada an even better place. I offer my best wishes for many successful 
and fulfilling years to come.

                          ____________________