[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17653]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


         IN HONOR OF NEW MEXICO STATE TREASURER JAMES B. LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN RAY LUJAN

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2014

  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize James B. Lewis, who is retiring after a career devoted to 
public service. Most recently, Mr. Lewis served as New Mexico State 
Treasurer, a position he held for the last 8 years.
  Mr. Lewis' long and distinguished career includes serving our country 
in the Army and serving New Mexico in many notable positions, such as 
Chief of Staff to Governor Bruce King, Chief Clerk and Chief Executive 
Officer of the New Mexico State Corporation Commission, Director and 
Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, President of the 
National Association of State Treasurers, and immediate past President 
of the National Association of State Auditors, Controllers, and 
Treasurers. In 1986, Mr. Lewis became the first African American to be 
elected to a statewide office in New Mexico, and is also the first and 
only African American to be appointed and then elected to office three 
times.
  His tenure in the Treasurer's office will be remembered for his 
efforts to increase transparency and raise public awareness and 
understanding of this important office and the role it plays in our 
great state. Treasurer Lewis automated the warrant and collateral 
compliance system, established the Remote Electronic Banking System, 
signed the first joint Powers Agreement enabling the Ramah Navajo 
Chapter to invest in the Local Government Investment Pool, and 
implemented the new state Linked Deposit program.
  The State Treasury plays a vital role in protecting state monies 
deposited in New Mexico's financial institutions and promoting a stable 
state economy, and as Treasurer, Mr. Lewis led that effort with 
distinction. While Mr. Lewis' retirement is a loss for the state of New 
Mexico, I wish him all the best as he embarks on this next chapter, and 
I congratulate him on his distinguished career.




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