[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14178]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING DEBORAH SLIZ ON HER DISTINGUISHED CAREER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Ms. Deborah 
Rochelle Sliz, who for more than thirty-five years has served with 
distinction as a trusted advocate for the community-owned utilities 
that serve consumers in small and large communities alike.
  I first met Deborah through her work as the Washington representative 
of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, fondly known as SMUD. 
SMUD serves the City of Sacramento with affordable electricity on a 
not-for-profit basis. And in the same way SMUD has focused on providing 
reliable, forward-thinking customer service, Deborah has provided her 
clients with sound advice and valuable insights into energy policy.
  Deborah began her career here on Capitol Hill, as Counsel for 
Chairman Morris K. Udall of the House Interior and Insular Affairs 
Committee--now known as the House Resources Committee. There she 
handled water and power issues, which became her life's work. She went 
on to advocate for not-for-profit power systems at the American Public 
Power Association, then at APCO Worldwide. In 2006, she became the 
President and CEO of Morgan Meguire, LLC and has built a highly 
regarded government relations firm during a transformative time in the 
energy industry. Her commitment to community-owned electric utilities, 
coupled with her business sense, people skills, and personal integrity, 
have made Morgan Meguire--under her leadership--second to none when it 
comes to energy policy advocacy.
  Deborah has worked with Members of Congress throughout the country, 
from both sides of the aisle, to advance her clients' interests. 
Deborah has played a pivotal role in the development of landmark 
legislation including the Clean Air Act of 1990, the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005, and the Hoover Power Reallocation Act of 2011, to name just a 
few.
  Utility managers and their elected board members consider her a 
trusted advisor and say that they have greatly benefited from her 
leadership and vision, while her colleagues and her staff say she is 
known for her ability to bring stakeholders together, her integrity, 
and forthrightness.
  With accolades like these, it is not surprising that my personal and 
professional respect and admiration for Deborah runs deep, and I wish 
her happiness and good health in her retirement. The wise counsel, 
determination, and good sense of humor with which she has served on 
behalf of public power will be fondly remembered.
  Thank you for your service, Deborah.

                          ____________________