[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 15] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22473] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING DENNIS M. DIEMER ______ HON. GEORGE MILLER of california in the house of representatives Thursday, December 16, 2010 Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleagues Congressman John Garamendi, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Jerry McNerney, and Congressman Pete Stark to recognize East Bay Municipal Utility District General Manager Dennis M. Diemer and congratulate him as he approaches his well-earned retirement. Mr. Diemer's career in public service demonstrates his lifelong commitment to the citizens and communities of the East Bay. We are grateful to him for his service to our constituents. He began his career with EBMUD in 1981 as a senior environmental engineer, and over the ensuing years he was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility at the agency. In 1995, the board of directors selected him to serve as acting general manager, and he was appointed as general manager on February 13, 1996. In California, where our water fights are legendary, Dennis' collaborative approach helped EBMUD make strides toward a secure water future. Working with the district's board of directors, Dennis and his team focused on identifying and working with partners for water supply projects. He played a significant role in ending years of water wars between the East Bay, the Sacramento area, and the environmental community, an effort which evolved into the Freeport Regional Water Project. Dennis' work has made a long-term difference in the environmental quality of the Bay Area. He has long promoted protection of San Francisco Bay, from his work in the 1980s managing a collaborative effort with local communities to abate uncontrolled sewage discharges into San Francisco to more recent efforts to forge agreements that put EBMUD and local communities on a long term path toward controlling wet weather discharges to the Bay. In addition, under his watch, the district's new long range plan included a pioneering analysis of the potential impacts of climate change on future water supply. These actions will result in better protection of public health and the environment. Dennis has demonstrated exceptional leadership for EBMUD, making the organizational and process improvements necessary to anticipate and adapt to changes in regulations, technology, the environment, and the world around us. Madam Speaker, I invite our colleagues to join us in honoring General Manager Dennis Diemer for his dedicated service to the people of California and the Bay Area. We are pleased to join with his family, colleagues, and friends in congratulating Dennis on a long and highly successful career and wish him a happy and healthy retirement. ____________________