In Honor of John A. Coleman

IN HONOR OF JOHN A. COLEMAN -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 19, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MONDAY, JULY 19, 2004

Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to recognize the achievements and activities of John A. Coleman. Mr. Coleman currently is serving as the President of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies otherwise known as CASA. CASA is a statewide association of wastewater treatment agencies that is responsible for ensuring the protection and improvement of California's water quality for more than 22 million Californians and their related businesses and our state's natural resources. He was elected CASA President after serving as a member of this association since 1990. It is also noteworthy that he assumed this leadership role after he was elected to the Board of Directors of the East Bay Municipal Utility District that provides water quality and water supply services to many of my constituents of the 10th Congressional District.

Mr. Coleman was the first CASA President to serve a two-year term of office, having been unanimously elected by the General Council of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies on August 9, 2002 and re-elected August 15, 2003. He will conclude his term as the 46th President on August 7, 2004.

Mr. Coleman's performance on behalf of CASA has been one of strong leadership. He has provided important guidance on complex legislative and regulatory issues affecting the management of local public wastewater agencies as these agencies strive to comply with the myriad of federal requirements. On many an occasion I have had the opportunity to review a number of these matters with Mr. Coleman in his capacity as President of CASA and as a member of the East Bay Municipal Utility District Board of Directors.

In each of these roles, Mr. Coleman displayed the highest level of integrity establishing a threshold of performance that served CASA well. He used his position at CASA both as President and a Member of the Executive Board to encourage all CASA members to maintain the highest level of professional performance in the course of conducting the public's business.

Of special note, during Mr. Coleman's tenure as CASA President, he launched a state wide program to promote the beneficial use of biosolids to improve the quality of our lands and minimize the inappropriate disposal of a useful byproduct of water quality programs. This program has generated a better understanding on the part of the public on how we can be better stewards of our local communities and their natural resources.

Most recently, Mr. Coleman oversaw the first CASA Federal Legislative Outreach Seminar, bringing to Washington 40 public officials to meet with their congressional delegations and U.S Environmental Protection Agency officials. This effort typified Mr. Coleman's commitment to working to enhance the CASA members' understanding of the policymaking process and to promote increased public participation in the legislative and regulatory processes.
Through this activity, he has elevated and solidified CASA's leading role as one of the most effective, respected, and influential California public association dedicated to wastewater and water quality improvements.

As Mr. Coleman prepares to complete his term as CASA President, I want to take note of these accomplishments and to commend him for his tireless commitment to improve the water quality of California's lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters. His commitment and leadership at CASA means that valuable recreational, economic and social activities that today's Californians enjoy will be available for California's future generations. I congratulate him on his many achievements.