[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 94 (Monday, June 9, 2008)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1166] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRATULATING MICHAEL J. MOCEK ON HIS RETIREMENT ______ HON. KAY GRANGER of texas in the house of representatives Monday, June 9, 2008 Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. Michael J. Mocek on his upcoming retirement and thank him for his 37 years of Federal service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Texas, and our Nation. Mike has a long and distinguished history with the Corps of Engineers. Most of his Corps service has been with the Fort Worth Engineer District, where he served the last 12 years as the senior civilian and as the deputy district engineer and the chief of the Programs and Project Management Division. Among his many significant accomplishments in Texas was the successful completion of Jim Chapman and Ray Roberts Lakes in the 1980s. Mike's technical expertise and planning efforts on those projects provided those communities with vital flood protection and water supply. He also played an invaluable role in the successful approval of the Dallas Floodway Extension project, currently under construction, which will greatly improve the flood protection for that city. In recent years, Mike has been instrumental in getting Corps approval for one of my top priorities, the Central City Project in Fort Worth. This project will revitalize a portion of the downtown area and provide much needed recreation and park lands, ecosystem restoration, and future flood protection for our citizens. In addition, Mike has provided exceptional leadership for the Corps of Engineers in developing a partnership with the Texas Water Development Board to improve cooperation between the State and Federal government for water resource projects to meet the State's future water needs. Mike has also guided and overseen the management of one of the largest and most challenging military programs in the Corps, supporting flag ship installations such as Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, and Fort Sam Houston, as well as Lackland and Dyess Air Force Bases. His extraordinary leadership, dedication, and commitment led to the successful completion of many projects that have greatly improved the readiness of our forces and the quality of life for our soldiers, airmen and their families. He did all of this while concurrently serving in the Army Reserves, and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 2005, Mike was selected as the top civilian for the Corps of Engineers for achieving the highest overall standards of excellence and for his many significant contributions to the missions, prestige and reputation of the entire Corps. He was very deserving of this honor. He has mentored many senior military officers and continues to be sought out for his expertise, wise counsel, and advice. Though he received many offers for senior executive promotions throughout the years that would have taken him from Texas, Mike elected to remain in his home State where he felt his efforts would best serve his fellow Texans. In the Fort Worth community, Mike has been a well-known and trusted leader and public servant. Both he and his wife, Betty, have served their community well. As an ordained deacon at Holy Family Catholic Church, he provides counsel and spiritual guidance to those who seek it. Betty has taught elementary school students for many years and is currently teaching 4th grade at Tanglewood Elementary School in Fort Worth I am indeed honored to have worked with Mike over the last several years as a Member of Congress, and before that as mayor of Fort Worth. I appreciate Mike's long, dedicated, and faithful service to the Fort Worth community, the State of Texas and our Nation. I wish him all the best in his retirement. ____________________