[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN JORGENSEN

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes to 
tell my colleagues about one of Wyoming's distinguished citizens. John 
Jorgensen has devoted his life to promoting education, literacy, and 
the arts. This November he will be honored with the Benefactor Award 
from the Council for Resource Development. According to the CRD, the 
Benefactor Award ``recognizes individuals . . . for outstanding 
contributions to community colleges. The CRD Benefactor Award embodies 
the ideals of philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism in the service 
of community, technical, and junior colleges.'' The Council only honors 
a handful of people each year, and I am delighted that John Jorgensen 
will receive this prestigious award.
  John is no stranger to hard work. His ties to the community are 
numerous. In addition to serving as the president of Casper's Hilltop 
National Bank, John is also the president of the Casper College 
Foundation. During 25 years in this important role, he has tripled the 
foundation's assets. Under John's leadership the foundation has 
provided more than $70 million to the college for support of campus 
facilities, college programs, and student scholarships. The funds have 
provided a margin of excellence that ensures Casper College continues 
to be one of the finest community colleges in the country.
  Casper College is just one of many organizations benefitting from 
John's time and talents. He leads Wyoming Reads, an organization 
created in his late wife Sue's memory that puts books into the hands of 
nearly every Wyoming first grader. He has served on the Natrona County 
Public Library Foundation and the Nicolaysen Art Museum board. John is 
a member of the Casper Rotary Club. He has a passion for the performing 
arts and has acted in a number of Casper College's plays, including the 
``Grapes of Wrath'' and ``Death of a Salesman.''
  John Jorgensen is an example of what makes America great. He has 
channeled his blessings and his heartbreaks into organizations that 
help others. Casper and Wyoming are even greater because of his 
contributions. My wife Bobbi joins me in congratulating John on 
receiving this special award from the Council for Resource Development. 
We are blessed to call him our friend.

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